her days in the big top

she told me in great detail

about her days

with the circus.

she got dreamy eyed with drink

as we

sank into her velvet

plush sofa,

fading from violet into

a shade of sunset pink.

oh, those were good times,

she said.

i had a crush on the lion

tamer,

but i couldn't get the trapeze

artist,

Anzio out of my bed.

my best friend was the woman

with a beard,

all fake, she says, whispering

the secret

into my ear.

i loved the animals, she went

on.

the elephants, the lions,

the horses.

i'd ride Jumbo into the big top

to the applause

of the crowd.

sitting on top of his massive

grey body.

but i couldn't stand the clowns.

she shivered and closed

her eyes.

they were miserable people.

they smoked and drank,

and never left me alone.