the big top

we met when we were both
travelling
with the circus. the big top.
she used to ride
the elephants
into the ring,
sitting high behind
their floppy ears, while
I was shot out of a cannon
into a haystack.
we had some good times.
she'd fill in
on occasion for the bearded
woman,
gluing hair to her cheeks
and chin,
and sometimes
i'd stuff myself into a
little car
with the clowns when
one got sick,
or arrested.
it was fun for a while.
being on the road.
the romance of it all.
the smell of cotton candy
and hot dogs.
cigar smoke and sawdust.
kibbutzing with the midgets.
but sadly it ended when
an elephant stepped on
her one day
and that was it.
I was flying though
the air as the human cannon ball
and looked down
to see it all. I can still
hear her scream
and see the puddle of her
in a silver sequined dress. i
haven't been to the circus
since then.