In an alternate universe
clowns are like sunshine —
everyone loves them.

All of those fabulous colors,
bulbous nose, wild hair,
and big shoes.

There has to be a fall guy
in every circus; a star
in every sky.

As she spins she sings
to the calliope music
in her head.

Twirling kaleidoscope
in cracked chiffon
dizzy with life.

Prancing ponies and
tormented tigers
cut her slack.

They know she sleeps chilled
on a thin straw pallet in
the costumes wagon.

Paula Light is the host of Thursday Inspiration.  Paula says:

This week’s theme is sunshine and the picture is [above.] Here is the song snippet from “Sunshine (Go Away Today)” recorded by Jonathan Edwards in 1971:

Sunshine go away today
I don’t feel much like dancing
Some man’s come he’s trying to run my life
He don’t know what he’s asking

Note: “candy-colored clown” is part of a lyric from Roy Orbison’s song, In Dreams