The Circus

Come back with me

Into the black space of time

Run as fast as you can

Circus is in town

Under the big tent.

Strike up the band.

The year was 1942.  It was a hot September day in the Midwest.  The world was in confllict and me 'n Sam, in feed sack shirts and overalls, waited impatiently on the front porch until the clock struck 2.

"Hey Ma.  We're leavin'.  Hurry!  Hurry!  C'mon Sam."  As we rushed down the dirt road, dust swirled around our bare feet.

The gigantic blue and white striped circus tent, at the edge of town, loomed ahead of us.  We could hear the music of the band, the trumpet of elephants and the roar of lions.  The sounds made our feet take wings and fly over that dirt road.

Fields were filled with cars and horses munched grass near by.  A few people stood in line to buy tickets, but we had no money.  Silently we slipped to the back of the tent and slithered on our bellies to see through a small opening at the bottom of the tent.

What we experienced was a whole new world of glitter, glitz and wonder.  Smells of popcorn and roasted peanuts permeated the air.  Flashing red and white lights, as bright as the sun, filled the tent.  Flags and buntings were displayed throughout and the band played non-stop.  High above the tent floor men and women, dressed in flag colors, flew through the sky.  Painted clowns, funny cars and tall men on stilts were ev erywhere.  Elephants sat on buckets, paraded and danced.  Horses, with plumes on their heads, ridden bare back by beautiful ladies, pranced to the rhythm of the music.   And in the center ring, the emcee in his top hat and red, white and blue costume was quite a sight.  In a booming voice he cried out - "Ladieees and gentlemen."

Gradually, the scene faded as we felt ourselves being lifted into the air by the straps of our overalls.  A burly policeman deposited us on the road and, in a gentle voics said, "Go home, boys!  And don't come back."  I'm sure he must have remembered when he was twelve and the circus came to town.

Slowly and silently we walked, squishing the soft dirt between our toes and kicking up dust devils.  There was no need for words.  Sam 'n me knew, without a doubt, the one thing we wanted in life was to be a part of the circus.

Gynith Roberts