Don Kunz

The Circus

In the beginning it was unpacking

thirty-three bozos from the sky-

blue 1962 Volkswagen Beetle —

Frizzy hair, red nose, painted smile

big as clown feet.

In the middle it was a trapeze act

above the lion tamer’s cage.

Flyers cavorted with catchers.

Look! No net!

The crowd screamed confetti.

In the end it was a parade on busted springs:

The Beetle pushed by clowns

toothless lions groaning;

high-wire artists gimping;

all like elephants — wrinkled, gray.