THE CLOWN

HIDDEN FEELINGS

THE CLOWN

The clown runs and jumps

shouting

and blowing its horn.

It’s wearing baggy pants

a bulbous nose

curly red hair

and oversized shoes

forever laughing and moving.

The children

marvel

how happy and excited

the clown looks all the time.

From the moment they arrive

till their final goodbye.

“Are you ever sad?”

 asks the little boy .

“Never!”

cries the clown

who starts to dance

and hand out big

colored

all day suckers.

 “I wanna be just like you.”

cries the little girl.

“Me too.”

says the little boy.

“Goody, goody.”

yells the clown,

clapping and hopping

round the room

The children finally wave

one last time

and sadly 

close the door behind them.

Quiet and alone

the clown sinks down in a soft chair

slowly removes its mask

and sobs.