#UULent - #fear

This is a poem I wrote in 1998

And the lions and tigers - they came.

The tent was striped with bands of white and bands of red.

It sprouted loudly from a raging sea of green. 

And all around were people, crowds and queues.

The tent grew bigger, the crowds grew louder, and my excitement rose.

The circus was here, with clowns, with gymnasts, with freaks.

But most of all the animals, with claws and teeth and eyes.

And then we all were seated - wooden boards on metal pole.

The music played, and dancers pranced, and acrobats flew high.

Then elephants paraded round and horses galloped hard.

And then the time arrived for ice cream and for pop.

But where was my Mam’s bag with secrets and with cash.

A careless foot had kicked it from the board on which we sat.

So now it lay on sawdust in the pitch black dark beneath our seats.

And then a plea from Mam for me to rescue it from where it lay.

But isn’t that the place they let the tigers make their home?

Isn’t that the place were lions, and bears and other beasts are kept?

But this was Mam that asked, and money was a precious thing to us.

So let’s assume the worst - I’ll jump upon a cat and be it’s lunch.

Or maybe they are round the other side, and swiftness count for much.

So down I leapt and landed right upon a tiger’s bed of hay.

I looked around and saw bright eyes and heard the breath I’m sure.

So quickly fumbling in the pitch black space I find the bag.

And then I leap again, as high as I have ever leapt.

I grab the board on which we sit, and feel the hands above grab hold and pull.

But they must pull me hard, I hear the sound of  claws and paws come running.

I hear the sound of rasping throats and feel the heat of  breath upon my heels.

Then all at once I’m up and I lie still, and safe upon the board.

I hear the purring still, I feel the breath, I see the eyes.

But it was money and it was my Mam’s wish, so I would do it still

- face lions and face tigers for that cause.