what is he but a pair of baggy pants? 

a red-nosed man, his smile is painted on

his stilted legs perform their dopey dance

his hands transform each blue balloon to swan.

but when the red-striped curtains skim the stage

and cotton candy cones spill from the stands

when elephants are locked back in their cage 

the entertainer slumps, stares at gloved hands.

his reddened smile swirls down the stained sink drain

his wrinkles crease, his sagging eyelids droop

he groans as juggling hands cramp from day's pain

the sad clown falls asleep across his soup.

           still, daylight breaks and crowds demand a show

           and so, the tired clown enters stage light's glow.