I've seen them happy and sad,
Some joyful, some mad,
Riding the carousel horse to the moon.
As the calliope sings,
Some reach for the rings,
While others cry it is over too soon.
Some people laugh at the clowns,
And some people frown,
Waiting for the entertainment to begin.
Some people go on the rides,
And others will hide,
Missing all the happiness they bring.
Behind my painted smile
Sometimes there lurks a tear.
I see them for a while
And want to ease their fears.
I want them happy as can be,
With their hearts soaring free.
Away among the clouds,
Joyful and proud,
For a moment to be
A clown like me.
I watch the children's faces,
As the lion paces,
Wishing they could be in the cage with him.
I watch some parent's faces,
Frowning without grace,
Too impatient for the show to begin.
When I see a child cry,
Something inside dies,
And I want to make their tears go away.
When I see a grownup scowl,
I give them my smile,
And try to make them laugh their cares away.
Behind my painted smile
Sometimes there lurks a tear.
I see them for a while
And want to ease their fears.
I want them happy as can be,
With their hearts soaring free.
Away among the clouds,
Joyful and proud,
For a moment to be
A clown like me.
Poem by Michele Elaine Wilson © 1996