A Thousand Clowns

He danced in shiny shoes
floating across the floor
He wore the face
of a thousand clowns
He had always worn before
He smiled at the music
twirled a lady here and there
stopped to tease the piano
threw his laughter in the air
a sound came way off far away
the daylight was closing
all the noise was dying down
but in his trembling fear
He wore the face
of a thousand clowns
they miss him on the circuit
and wonder if he'll return
the ladies and the music
listen so they can learn
to wear a face like 
his, smiling away the frown
wrinkled from time and laughter
still only a thousand clowns


r.p.leith
2/12/95