A Clown Unmasked
Happy, go lucky, thriving with giggles
Yes, you know of the clown
Twisting and turning in all sorts of contortions
Striving for smiles, not one frown
Happiness, joy and laughter he brings
As he brightens the day of all
Tears of joy and celebration
It looks like he’s having a ball
However, has anyone seen the clown
When he stops to take off his mask?
When the jokes have ceased, the lights are off
And he’s no longer up to the task?
He lies in silence with no crowd to “hooray”
Hindered by the demons of life
He is a man without a face
Struggling in his world full of strife
He lies awake on sleepless nights
Wondering what they would think
To see their source of life and hope
Immersed in darkness, pushed to the brink
He prays to a God in which he believes
Although they’ve not met face to face
He begs for the Lord’s mercy, strength,
and perseverance
So that he may succeed in life’s race
On the outside he is “The Man for all Seasons”
But on the inside he is so sore
Tears flood his heart, his soul and his mind
He’s left in awe of the man – Thomas Moore
He lies in idleness with no strength to move on
Alone he knows not where to go
He approaches a crowd and slips on the mask
Unconsciously taking over the show
How long will this last, this life of deception
Until he can take no more?
Who can tell or possibly predict
Who will win this internal war
Can somebody help? Does anyone have a clue?
This light will soon fade away
And what will they think, those touched by him
To find out he has gone off astray?
So, all of you there who enjoy his disguise
And even those who care for him least
Picture the man behind the mask
And pray that he may find his peace
For often it’s those who seem to have it all
That suffer in having a blast
And yes, I know, for I am the clown
And now you have seen me unmasked
Will Richey
Rome, Italy
© December 1997
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