The white clown with glitter sleeves<\/span> \n<\/span>And high question-mark eyebrows<\/span> \n<\/span>Cannot hide his amazement,<\/span><\/p>\n
For here comes August<\/span> \n<\/span>Ready to wreck the circus tent.<\/span><\/p>\n
He dabs his forehead,<\/span> \n<\/span>Straightens his jabot again,<\/span> \n<\/span>Looking as though terrified\u2014<\/span> \n<\/span>The white clown.<\/span><\/p>\n
The red one tries to trick him<\/span> \n<\/span>Or conspicuously hide himself,<\/span> \n<\/span>But then it becomes clear<\/span> \n<\/span>How the whole joke is built<\/span> \n<\/span>Where every detail must fit<\/span> \n<\/span>For both clowns.<\/span><\/p>\n
Rondeau II<\/b><\/p>\n
The red clown hangs in the ropes<\/span> \n<\/span>Ruminating on the rain of blows.<\/span> \n<\/span>There was quite some pounding,<\/span> \n<\/span>Though he kicked about wildly.<\/span><\/p>\n
Apparently he must not mourn it.<\/span> \n<\/span>He claws himself upright again<\/span> \n<\/span>And shuffles off once more<\/span> \n<\/span>On shoes with elongated tips\u2014<\/span> \n<\/span>The red clown.<\/span><\/p>\n
With overstretched tension peaks<\/span> \n<\/span>And always the same feeble jokes<\/span> \n<\/span>Fit for children and women:<\/span> \n<\/span>Snapping, snarling, shuffling, hauling.<\/span><\/p>\n
He cannot swallow his tears\u2014<\/span> \n<\/span>The red clown.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"