Circus
Around me I see shapes
I am surrounded
Disorientated
There are too many forms
I can’t escape
I am a prisoner of this world
Of fakes and breaks,
And tears/i:/ and tears/e/
They come and grab me,
Try to catch a glimpse,
Cling to a piece of me.
I look around, and think I can see,
But I blink, and look again.
The scenery has shifted.
A circus of dames and lights,
Shadows so bright,
Dazzling princes in tights –
Grabbing arms –
I can’t fight.
I am trapped.
I run to the exit road,
But the sign has fallen – useless.
There is no escape.
I have to enter,
Face the house of horrors.
I open my eyes, and stare
Hoping to see through the masquerades
Special effects and make up covering
The lacks in consistency –
Glitches in scenery, traps, and gaps –
I trip and land on uneven ground.
A hand catches me –
Breaking my fall.
I hold on to it and look up –
So warm a smile –
A noise diverts my gaze
A feel – from soft to slimy on my hand
I turn to the breath that rescued me
And the pale skin has turned green,
The eyes, red and hungry.
That pungent smell – suffocating
– I wince – unrepressed
I run away and escape, barely.
Out of breath, I am disorientated,
And lost. I was almost caught.
Out of reach
I stumble down and break apart,
I feel my consciousness slip up, and fade out
Leaving my body to the night,
Letting her decide,
Whether I am to live or die.
Aware my eyes might not open to see another dawn.
Mug's Tale 