Clown

I am dithering
I am dancing
On  knives
Jumping and jerking
Squealing in fright
My  fingers tremble
From  nervousness
My  nails are white, bone-like
So I wind myself
Up  like a spool
My  irregular turning
My  freaking
Makes  me look like
A  fool
With a jangling hat
And  my red cheeks
You  would never know
Love had milled me
Down  to faintest powder
Two  great grey stones
Grinding clowns.

My  black tears are
Painted on and
Running down
This compression will
Spoil such a bright tunic
Anyone  would disown
Such a raggedy-woman
Flopping and
Carping like a discarded
Doll.
Numeneco  the clown.

previous poem