Politics, Metaphor and Life

A circus came to town today
with caravans and raggy clowns
and hissing steam to flute the sounds
of its Calliope.
Parades of preening troupers  bowed:
performing seals and dancing bears
like courtesans displayed their wares
into the waxing evening's shroud.

Infernal posted bills portrayed
a strong man and performing fleas,
with elephants, and chimpanzees
who’d steal your very breath away.
And phantoms: on the high trapeze,
defying odds to ply their trade
above the audience, who made
a silent enigmatic frieze.

The ringmaster, a lone Lord God
and master of their lurid days,
exacted  he be given praise
with cracking whip and probing rod.
While trusting mortals, beguiled by
his demon midgets juggling  balls,
were herded to the waiting  stalls
where wily barkers caught their eye.

Then sorely tempted, mesmerised,
they gambled in demonic games,
with numbered tickets for their names
and smiles that matched their greedy eyes.
The Fire Eater's flames-- shot through 
a grill of freaks and gurning trolls,
to integrate and baste fresh souls
with sauces on the barbecue.

A circus came to town today
with caravans and raggy clowns,
and hissing steam to flute the sounds
of its Calliope.
And with the dying of the year
you felt that you could run away
to where there is no night or day
under it’s aegis--- disappear...