the big top frame a skeleton

that eats you up as you creep in

yawning, haunted, hallowed space

the days gone by have left no trace

of what transpired long ago

townsfolk don't talk, but they all know

oh yes, the circus came to town

and then death brought the curtain down

that lavish world of make-believe

grants merry-makers no reprieve

from pain and sorrow, sin and vice

best think once, or better, twice

she thought she had it all worked out

her sparkling sequins, metallic pout

through the air, an elegant swoon

luminescent as the moon

below the surface lurked a need

twisted logic inviting greed

desperate, she called him twice

knowing this, he upped the price

he who primped and preened and pranced

cracked his whip, made those girls dance

swagger walk and saddle shoes

hair trigger temper; too-short fuse

she met him at the appointed hour

simmering within, seeking power

gleaming top hat, glittering eyes

he beheld his newfound prize

but oh, she had her own dark scheme

had come to her in a vivid dream

tucked up her sleeve a small, sharp knife

she knew that she would take his life

for every small indignity

a chance to finally be free

and as she lunged

he jumped away

(as one will do when one is prey)

and as he did she fell forward

as her arm was tilted toward

her heart, beating hard within her chest

in went the blade, right through her breast

she writhed, she screamed

his eyes were wide as her blood streamed

the reddist red,

she bled and bled

he stood there frozen, numb with shock

and then that ringmaster took stock

placed the baggie at her side

and with a shudder there she died

the darkness overtook this place

revelers claimed they'd see her face

the show would end and there she'd loom

vivid in the gathered gloom

and that was why they dimmed the lights

no one wanted further frights

the clowns dispersed, the music stopped

the glitter swept and balloons popped

oh yes, the circus came to town

and then death brought the curtain down