Stilt walkers and clowns
Approach as the circus tours
Ragtags in glad rags
Saltimbacos and troubadors.
Musicians from a bygone age
Poets of a different class
Fat ladies with beards
Stare at me as they pass.
History’s story tellers
Muscle bound town criers
Organ grinders and chimps
Handing out their fliers.
Carts carrying food
And wagons carrying stores
Stilt walkers and freaks
Saltimbancos and troubadors.
Ring masters in sequins
Trapeze artists and a unicorn
Tattooed ladies and lion tamers
And kids selling popcorn.
Marionettes and elephants
And even a midget clown
All advertise their wares
As the circus hits town.
I watch as they come past me
Noisily in twos and fours
And look forward to seeing
Saltimbancos and troubadors.