New trick pony

I am a barefoot circus girl externally
Rosy lips and cheeks of crimson cheer
I step out, boldly smiling, on the tightrope
And toss away my balance pole – and fear
Underneath the colour application
My skin is pale – internal vague, opaque
I spend too much time awake
In the company of tragedy
And disdain that hounds my ear

I care not for the bitter and the agitant
There is far too much of burden without force
It matters not the course of dancing ponies
Or gossip on the famous, unpleasant, false discourse

It is the cheap end of the stadium I ponder
Though from here I see the glowing hearts below
They are dotted inconsistently among the frey
Upturned faces gape before the breathcatch of the day
And each trick I might do
I make a wish on you
Inverted of the stars, you are my constant view
I practice… courage and resilience, comfort, warmth and care
Consistency of being, and integrity to spare
I practice presence ever vigilant, the skills to keep my word
Happiness abundantly
… and humility

— Cloudthings, Sep 03, 2009

About This Poem

About the Author

Region, Country: Australia, regional Victoria, AUS

Favorite Poets: So many... Rumi, Spike Milligan, Keats. Many of the Neopoet clan, past & present. A myriad of song writers, Dylan, Jackson Browne, Lior, & I must add the poetic influence of painters, sculptors & creators across the world... Life really, especially the sky.

Critiques

Seren

16 years 9 months ago

Dear Anni

This one has a lighter feel to it than some of your others , it has humor and more its everything you are talking about in your last line ... its humble and beautiful ... I loved these lines It is the cheap end of the stadium I ponder Though from here I see the glowing hearts below They are dotted inconsistently among the frey Upturned faces gape before the breathcatch of the day And each trick I might do I make a wish on you Inverted of the stars, you are my constant view I have been at the cheap end of the stadium and you know what I found there was more life there than with all the upper classes ... people with nothing have everything to live for ... and find small blessings in the cheap seats ... sorry this poem has caught me in its web .. I loved it .. Regards Jayne x x "We did not change as we grew older; we just became more clearly ourselves. Lynn Hall" ...

Cloudthings

16 years 9 months ago

Makes me happy to be known even just a tiny bit - Thanks for see

Thanks Jayne, I actually like this one, don't feel like that about lots of them, it feels like a friend rather than a path if you know what I mean... perhaps I am unusual in using my writing to take me somewhere... or perhaps that's a mistake... ah it is certainly a bigger topic than should be opened here! Those lines, I still struggle with them - at first I wrote "Bring me" (asking it of the universe... or really my life), but I changed it to "I practice"... knowing that nothing & no-one else could give these things to me it had to be through my own efforts... & it IS what I constantly aspire to... Then I tried "I balance" largely to bring the theme back neatly to the tight-rope thing & anyway there is some truth we all aim to find such balance... well, some of us perhaps, I've no idea in truth, certainly many I know. But you know it doesn't sit comfortably with me because it actually doesn't sound humble that way, it sounds almost proud & it isn't terribly in keeping with how I am or what I want to portray. Yes... the cheap end, exactly - often less trappings hold a less burdened heart, though good hearts can be found in almost any place, you read into it well & it warms me... I love your comment here "… and find small blessings in the cheap seats" that was my point, I love that you see it. Makes me happy to be known even just a tiny bit. Cheers Anni~ "A word is not the same with one writer as with another. One tears it from his guts. The other pulls it out of his overcoat pocket". ~Charles Peguy

Seren

16 years 9 months ago

Dearest Anni,

I am glad I could make you happy Anni , I often read more than what I say , that line we sometimes dont cross , out of respect , regards Jayne :) We did not change as we grew older; we just became more clearly ourselves. Lynn Hall ...

Worldwide Freeride

16 years 9 months ago

Holy smoly....

Oh yeah walk the tightrope of life, carefully keeping your balance for the modern world has no safety net to catch your fall... and whole crowd will dispair along all the circusfolk of the world. this is a seemingy acrobatic write all dolled up for show yep you secretly tiptoe carefree across the hirewire above the world. Extreemly clever write with daintily and whimsical touches that colour page with giddy thoughts... vertigo will never be your downfall in writing... acrophobia is cast from all who wish to step out free spiritedly here. excellent performace... you must surely take a bow for this one! Excellent prose littered with rhyme and light-heratedness. I love it! Dale :)

Cloudthings

16 years 9 months ago

You write very encouraging things & I hope you are right... More

Thanks Dale, these are beautiful words & I'm glad you found pleasure in the story. You write very encouraging things & I hope you are right... More free spirits are to be enouraged I think also. I must quickly go to visit your own works. Cheers Anni~ "A word is not the same with one writer as with another. One tears it from his guts. The other pulls it out of his overcoat pocket". ~Charles Peguy

Geezer

16 years 9 months ago

Balance ....

Balance is something you are not lacking. You write with confidence, and keep your balance. You sound not proud, but like you indentify with those who wish to see what new trick you might perform, and not those who only wish to see you do something that might make you fall. That is what comes through to me! I look forward to your every write, to see what new trick you might perform, and what new direction you might take. You do not come through as someone I wish to see fall, and get their come-uppence. Bravo, Gee.

Cloudthings

16 years 9 months ago

Always did aspire to being a circus girl. Bit like a carnie huh

Oh Gee, that is so lovely, thanks, you've rendered me almost speechless... not such a common thing. Always did aspire to being a circus girl. Not so far from a carnie huh? Cheers Anni~ "A word is not the same with one writer as with another. One tears it from his guts. The other pulls it out of his overcoat pocket". ~Charles Peguy