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The Shadow Circus
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls
from every corner of the world-
welcome to the Shadow Circus,
where fire is thrown and flames are twirled!
There is hidden danger in every act!
Once we begin, there’s no turning back!
Prepare to be glued to your seats,
entranced and awed by the abstract!
Ah, here now! Our opening trick!
This woman balances on a stick-
but when it’s gone, she’s floating still
while fire dances at her neck!
And look! The acrobats, up there!
Flying, soaring through the air!
But wait- look closer. Could it be?
Flames are dancing in their hair!
Ladies and gentlemen, girls and boys,
put your hands together and make some noise!
Here, ma’am, is a rose for your child-
but hold her tight for this next surprise.
“The Fiery Giant!“ This man is rash!
He’s not drinking water- no! It’s gas!
He lights a match and eats that, too,
and- there! He is reduced to ash!
The Shadow March is starting now.
They, too, float on air- but how?
We need a lovely volunteer…
ma’am? Yes, you. Come take a bow.
Are there strings above their heads?
Or are they floating, as I said?
Are you sure? Check once more.
Not a wire! Not a thread!
Ladies and gents, you heard her say
they’re really floating here today!
Thank you ma’am, but one more thing.
Would you kindly step this way?
Our final act is a careful art.
This one’s not for the faint of heart.
Ma’am, from the circus here today,
tell me, what was your favorite part?
The floating girls who juggled knives
while fire danced around all five?
No, they weren’t afraid at all.
They say it makes them feel… alive.
Would you like to join our Shadow crew?
It will only take a moment or two.
No, you say? Well, that’s a shame-
the circus has already chosen you.
You are becoming one of us-
see? Your feet have turned to dust.
And now that you are floating, too,
you have to stay. I insist. You must!
Do you remember the opening act?
I warned you, there’s no going back!
Boys and girls, watch closely now;
her eyes are already turning black.
Ladies and gents- do not run!
Joining us is half the fun!
You’ll learn to love the fire, too;
you’ll learn to live with it, as one.
You’ll never find our troupe again!
If you get home- if, not when-
you won’t remember a single thing
about the circus or the Shadow men.
Little girl, do not cry!
No, your mother didn’t die.
Rather, she’s a Shadow girl.
But yes, I suppose this is goodbye.
Folks, your eyes are filled with fear,
but the Shadow men are finished here.
We have what we came here to take,
and now it’s time- dawn is near.
But listen closely to what I say-
this could be your home one day.
Come and join the Shadow Circus!
We’ll certainly take your breath away.
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Wow.
i.LO.VErmont,
This piece is terrifying, in a good way. I love how it seems so innocent in the beginning, but then turns into something dark and scary. The voice you write it in is perfect -- I don't know what you were thinking of, but I picture a creepy little smooth talking ringleader. It really adds to the piece. Maybe it's just my deep seated fear of clowns, but I've always found circuses a little creepy, so this piece hit home. I couldn't stop reading, I was completely sucked into it. Fantastic work.
~ Ophelia
"For whatever we lose (like a you or a me) / It's always ourselves that we find in the sea"
~ E.E. Cummings
great job
This is such an awesome poem, on so many levels. You did a fantastic job evoking reactions in the reader (in me and ophelia anyway). I was totally freaked out, glued to the screen. It was just long enough that I felt like as I was reading it, I was gaining momentum--reading faster and faster. I love writing that makes my heart beat faster. Great job!
If you want to view paradise, simply look around, and you will. Anything you want to... do it. Want to change the world? There's nothing to it.
Thank you both! :)
Ophelia- I was hoping everyone would know it was a ringmaster. :) (And I'm also afraid of clowns. I think Stephen King ruined them for society...)
Doug- Thank you! That's such a wonderful compliment! :)
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"Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?”
podcast!
You should totally podcast this! or let someone with a creepier voice than you do it, but i have faith in you! Maybe we could get this on VPR.
If you want to view paradise, simply look around, and you will. Anything you want to... do it. Want to change the world? There's nothing to it.
Haha :D
I definitely don't have a creepy enough voice. I would love to do it as a podcast, but I honestly think my voice would dampen the effect I want it to have.
ϟ
"Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?”