Anxious , the small child clutches his mother's arm ,
fears that the garish clown has come to harm
speadeagled on the sawdust of the ring
awaiting the laughter his mischance will bring .

The aerialist is flying high above ;
The clown , recovered , mimes a desperate love
while she on the wire above his sad display
dances from pole to pole her delicate way.

And there on his whitened face below his eye
a single tear is painted , to deny
all hope of reaching his desired goal,
appeasement for his lonely , aching soul.

But on a tarot card , there still awaits
the summary to come of both their fates:
she the plucked roses that have fallen on
him in the motley that hides a skeleton.