Under the Big Tent

the tricks and distractions

of an untalented clown

fail in the presence

of a comedic master

performing there in the dirt

pulling tired vaudeville pranks

before those who are better

at the art of deception

even in alaska

perspiration boils

the white makeup melts

the red nose sneezes

the blue mascara tears

from the eyes of the

amateur who wears it

the privileged auteurs

who paid dearly to be under

the big tops's pointed summit

are not easily amused

by the unfunny act of a fool