Circus Time Poem by Ernestine Northover

The 'Big Top' is so radiant with wide stripes of red and green,
The atmosphere is 'electric' and rousingly noisy at the scene,
Elephants are trumpeting, as if they want to say 'hello',
Crowds restlessly gathering, impatient to watch the show.

A hush descends around the 'ring' in such anticipation,
What's coming first, eager faces wide eyed with fascination,
Clowns tumbling into the limelight, how the people cheer,
Their costumes are extraordinary, so colourful and queer.

With antics so adorable, we have to all applaud,
Their comedy, and all their props, we just cannot be bored,
Their faces brightly painted, with red noses and red lips,
With outsize boots, they stomp around, shouting out their quips.

The trapeze artist is introduced, a girl in a sparkling robe,
Ascends into the vast tent top, suspended on a globe,
She gives a great perfomance as the audience, Oooohh! ! and Aaarrhh! ! ,
Every time they think that, she will not quite catch the bar.

With a gallop and a canter, white horses come prancing in, who
Will trot around with their riders doing tricks, by jumping through
Hoops, and skipping with a rope on a moving horse's back,
Each horse knowing what to do, when they hear the long whip crack.

Elephants are wonderful, as they go through their routines,
They really look contented, well that is how it seems, .
These amazingly gentle creatures, one cannot but admire,
The way they do just as they're told, they really do inspire.

The ringmaster in his red waistcoat, and shiny black top hat,
Keeps the show progressing, he's so jolly, round and fat,
With his moustache that's very smart, and his merry glinting eyes,
He has everybody 'spellbound' with each new and grand surprise.

Now the show is almost over, and the arena's all but filled,
With all the acts, that have performed, each one notably billled,
To appear at this famous 'Circus' and show us their expertise,
So come again next year, with your tent, Mr Circus owner, please!

© Ernestine Northover