by pansyredbooties.deviantart.com
Little girl,
laughing so loud
with tears in your eyes,
playing the clown
hides the pain for a time,
till you are alone
with yourself
and can barely survive
the look in your eyes,
above that pasted-on smile.
At Real Toads, Kay's Sunday Mini-Challenge is : Bring in the Clowns, an Emotional Challenge. Took me back to my teen years when I was a mass of secret pain, but played the clown to keep everyone laughing. Do check out the other offerings at Real Toads. There are always wonderful responses to these prompts at Toads.
So sad, Sherry.
ReplyDeleteI'm not surprised you're the first submitter (after me). I put mine in first because it answers your question (no, no negative experience with clowns in childhood, just a natural aversion).
Thanks for being there.
Hoping others will participate.
K
this is indeed tough prompt,but sherry has painted the picture in broad and vivid strokes..
ReplyDeleteThis is so sad!
ReplyDeleteAh, we all find ways to survive those adolescent years, don't we? Well expressed.
ReplyDeleteso sad, and the picture is heartbreaking
ReplyDeleteYes, it is true. Whether we use white face or not, we are often compelled to hide and grin and bear it.
ReplyDeleteI always wonder whether clowns are sad inside. Sort of like comedians. Nice job with a tough prompt, Sherry!
ReplyDeleteThe picture is perfect for your words...so sad to see those pasted on smile ~ Good work on the prompt Sherry ~
ReplyDeleteAw. :-/
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteAh, this is such a touching piece, Sherry!!It does appear that depression can wear many masks...sad:(
ReplyDeleteBeautifully penned!
I have come across many children just like this in my line of work.
ReplyDeletei am a clown
ReplyDeletewho will travel a mile
to ease your frown
by giving ye smile
i am a clown, yes,
i will travel a mile
to ease my frown
oh, by giving ye smile
...life of a clown is meant to make one happy the same way as he fills the sadness stuck within the painted face... smiles...
I was something of a class clown throughout school. It was definitely smiling to hide the pain that I was actually feeling inside.
ReplyDeleteso touching....
ReplyDeleteOMG Sherry, you need to delete that spam comment above, it feels VERY WRONG on this post, argh! argh.
ReplyDeleteyour poem is so touching and true. it immediately took me to a very young and vulnerable place. exactly right.
it's the Emmett Kelly clown, the tragic hobo clown, that slays me. i don't understand why that's funny at all.
So sorry some of you had to read that ghastly spam comment. Just discovered it this morning. Some people.
ReplyDeleteSad but beautiful words for a heartbreaking picture.
ReplyDeleteYou convey the hidden emotions behind A constructed smile - well
ReplyDeleteToo many sad clowns in this world. the only saving grace is many grow up to be strong women, the kind that can recognize this kind of pain and ease the sadness even if only for little while. Great writing Sherry.
ReplyDeleteI'm a comedian, but am recovering.
ReplyDeleteYour poem rings true.
Excellent prompt to what to me is a challenging prompt. Hugs for your sadness.
ReplyDeleteOh this went right to my heart. Poignantly told Sherry.
ReplyDeleteSo sad when a precious young one has to hide behind the face of a clown to hide pain. Such a heartfelt poem
ReplyDeleteWe often have children whose maturity are beyond their ages. They are the ones who can create and maintain a balanced feel within a group. Glad you did just that, Sherry! Nicely!
ReplyDeleteHank
hi Sherry, you just said that you don't like clowns right...? :)
ReplyDeleteloved your short but touchy words... and now I'm thinking of writing one on this subject :)
Keep Rhyming...
Cheers :)
my heart blesses those long ago tears, hidden behind a mask dear Sherry.
ReplyDeletemy heart blesses those long ago tears, hidden behind a mask dear Sherry.
ReplyDeleteHugs you. Hiding behind the self imposed clown is a hard and sad place to be. So well written.
ReplyDeleteNow I can hear this song in my head:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPtK5V5wKz0
Hugs to your inner child! xo
Sherry, isn't this the truth you have written? The class clown is usually the most depressed kid in school. That pic was perfect, but it was your words, describing me and you and so many others, kidding, jibing, anything but telling anyone about the pain. BRILL, my dear. Love, Amy
ReplyDeletehttp://sharplittlepencil.com/2013/03/17/five-years-old-first-circus/
Before reading your comment, I sensed this was about yourself. Though those were rough times, I think they contributed toward making you the sensitive and compassionate woman you are today. You no longer need to be the clown, you're real.
ReplyDelete