Stealing Circus Hours Poem by Warren Falcon

Warren Falcon's poem, 'Stealing Circus Hours, ' is a captivating lamentation on the fleeting nature of happiness and the consequences of indulgence. Through rich imagery and introspective musings, the poem explores themes of longing, addiction, and the transformative power of memory. The opening lines, referencing Ernest Dowson and Henry Miller, immediately set the tone for the poem's contemplative and melancholic mood. Falcon skillfully captures the essence of fading summer nights in America, evoking a sense of nostalgia and transience. The image of morning glories fog draped at dawn paints a vivid picture of a fairground after the revelry has subsided. The poet introduces the idea of the circus as a metaphor for life's thrill and escapism. The veiled hermetic tents and suspended rides create an atmosphere of eerie stillness, temporarily relieving the carnies from the ugliness associated with their profession. This juxtaposition highlights the dual nature of pleasure and the temporary respite it offers from reality. Falcon's use of language is both sensual and haunting. The description of cotton candy gins spinning dry confections to cold crystal and the sugared metals sticking and stopping convey a sense of arrested pleasure and arrested time. The idea of tuning tongues too early for erasure adds a bittersweet sense of innocence lost. The poet then delves into personal memories, aptly referencing social media platform Twitter as a means of capturing fragmented recollections. The narrative takes the reader on a journey through late-night musings, failed relationships, and the search for validation. The vivid image of sickened candy gorged in excess serves as a metaphor for the consequences of overindulgence and the emptiness it ultimately brings. As the poem progresses, it adopts a confessional tone, with the narrator admitting to the physical repercussions of their excess and the metaphorical spinning of their world. Falcon's use of language is visceral, bringing to life the sensations of nausea and disorientation. The imagery of penny mechanical distractions ghosting up stillborn nights adds a sense of futility and emptiness to the narrative. The poem concludes with a poignant and affecting image of a boy thief stealing circus hours by counting railroad cars. This final stanza serves as a reminder of the fleeting nature of happiness and the importance of cherishing moments of joy before they pass. Overall, Warren Falcon's 'Stealing Circus Hours' is a profoundly introspective and evocative poem that explores themes of longing, addiction, and the fragility of happiness. Through its poignant imagery and introspective musings, the poem offers a unique perspective on the human experience.