The circus is in town.

The circus is in town. There'll be fireworks at night.
A clown with floppy shoes and yellow wig pratfalls from a gaudy car.
Honking  horns and doing  tricks, he sees  the crowd's  lack of disbelief.

The pickpockets out in full force.
Grifters sell brass for gold and grin at the rubes.
Exotic dancers display their wares.
The circus is in town. There'll be fireworks tonight.

Carneys are shouting their spiels.
Fairground rides are creaking and old.
Flashing lights are scintillating.
The freaks of nature tent is full.
The circus is in town.

Young guys seeking out conquest.
are in it just for the laughs, 
not seeing the danger
when clowns take over the town.
There'll be fireworks tonight.

Near the stall of odd fair foods,
money and goods are exchanged.
A young girl is bought by a stranger.
Never to see her home again.
The circus is in town.

The clowns prance and wink at the marks.
Drunk townsfolk give them money.
The kids, tired and cranky,
will stay to see some fireworks.

The circus is in town. 
There'll be fireworks tonight.

The circus is in town. 
There'll be fireworks tonight.

©Ellen Pepper 2026