circus blues

a line of clowns,
circus
clowns.
painted in their
colors.
floppy shoes, and dry
flowers.
bulb noses,
all arriving from one car.
the line wraps around
the block.
the unemployment line.
the bearded woman,
shaving.
the cannonball
man wiping grease
from his brown.
the trapeze artists
in baggy pants.
the thin man,
finally having a sandwich.
there is no more
circus.
it's left town.
look there goes a herd
of elephants,
running with glee
knocking everything down.