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December 2, 2016

Poetry Friday--"Clown School"

Soon to be led by a master clown, we all need a few lessons in how to survive.


© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved. Vaudeville poster courtesy Library of Congress, edited.

Text:
Clown School

I tended to cautiously watch
my feet until the day I looked
up to see there are others
in this ring who fall on their
butts, yet laugh with the crowd.

If there is no difference
in the size of our feet can
it be that the difference is
in their willingness to take
the next step with indifference?

There is only one way to know...

Visit Wee Words for Wee Ones for more poetry in the Round-Up.

27 comments:

  1. I love this! I think we could all use a gentle reminder to take those next steps, even when they're frightening, and to laugh when we land on our backsides - so much of life is about perspective and attitude!

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    1. I learned, way back in high school gym class, that if you laugh at yourself first, people don't tend to laugh at you.

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  2. Another beaut combination of words and image, Diane.

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  3. You found the perfect image to go with your poem, Diane! Love those pom poms and the wee doggie. I don't really do anything with indifference, but I'll give it a go :-)

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    1. Isn't it great? The old-fashioned clown, the colors, and as you pointed out--the dog!

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  4. We need to keep moving and when we fall (and we will no matter what) the laugh the pain is lessened.

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    1. We definitely need to keep moving, otherwise, our ethical muscles may atrophy.

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  5. When I tried juggling, my hubby who is considerably better than me, said the first thing you have to master is the drop. :-)

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    1. I tried juggling with scarves, but never quite got it!

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  6. I love the way the dog gazes as the clown - as though he knows what's in store.

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    1. Don't we all know a pet that seemingly understands exactly what is happening in its owner's emotional life?

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  7. Perfect pairing of words and image, Diane! Good message here -- not to take oneself too seriously, not to be afraid to make mistakes, and not to give up!

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  8. Brilliance in word and image, Diane! Clowns scare me...especially the soon-to-be clown master.

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    1. Clowns never scared me before this year. Funny how a character meant to make people laugh has morphed into one that inspires terror.

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  9. Having had much practice in falling over my own feet, I can relate to this one!

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  10. Really love the image & text pairing with the nudge to find out

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  11. The problem is that I've never trusted clowns, the ones where you can't see their real face. And you've got me thinking about the distinctions between indifference, determination, courage, and folly. Political pratfalls are scary business when the rest of the clowns just laugh and chant do it again. :O( <— note the clown nose.

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    1. The circus as a whole is something, though fascinating, doesn't inspire me with confidence. Sort of like professional wrestling. And speaking of pro-wrestling, guess who used to be involved in it? WWE.

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    2. Sigh. Wrestling and beauty pageants... what a guy. :p

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  12. Diane, I'm so struck by the surprising wordiness of this poem! Both because so many clowns are silent, and because you tend to be a woman of few but well-chosen words. LOVE the framing artwork!

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    1. I like the frame, too. Some of the old vaudeville and circus posters on the Library of Congress site are fabulous, and with a little photo editing, they can be adapted.

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