The Secret of Clowns

This is one story in my compilation of Children's rhymes!

                              THE SECRET OF CLOWNS­

 

Ted sat on the curb of a city street,

Watching a clown with balloons.
“Good day,” said the clown as he knelt by Ted’s side.
“May I play you a song on my spoons?”
 
Ted looked to the ground and shook his head “no”.
“Not much in the mood for a tune?”
“I’m sad,” said Ted, with a crack in his voice.
“I’ve lost my only balloon.”
 
“Oh?” said the clown.  “Would you like one of mine?”
Leaning in with his colorful tree.
“I’ve only a penny.” Ted said with despair.
“Is there one in your bunch for me?”
 
“Of course,” said the clown, a smile stretched his red grin.
“These balloons that I hold are free.”
“Pocket your penny,” the clown said to Ted.
“While you pick a balloon from my tree.”
 
“Father gave me a balloon just yesterday.
I thought I was holding it tight.
My balloon floated up out of my reach,
And then clear out of my sight.”
 
“If I take a balloon, will you promise me clown,
This balloon will never go free?”
“Or can you tell me how to find the balloon
That my father bought for me?”
 
“This balloon you speak of, did it fly toward the sun
Or did it merely float without aim?
This balloon that you owned, was it pearly white
With letters that spelled out your name?”
 
“My balloon WAS pearly white and it went toward the sun.
It had letters written in blue.
One side said “Ted” and the other side said:
“From Daddy, I’ll always love you!”
 
The clown picked a balloon and showed it to Ted,
Saying, “Is this the balloon that you seek?”
The balloon floated down as the clown held the string
And rubbed softly against the boy’s cheek.
 
“May I ask you a question, Mr. Clown, sir?
I hope you won’t think this too trite.
How is it you hold the very balloon
I watched fly out of my sight?”
 
“If I show you the secret, the secret of clowns,
Will you promise never to tell?”
“For the secret I speak of,” he whispered to Ted,
“Is in the heavens where lost balloons dwell.”
 
“These balloons are quite special, Ted, my boy,”
The clown said as he looked toward the sky.
 “Balloons that go free fill the heavens, you see,
And the pickings, an endless supply.”
 
“How can you pick balloons from the sky?”
Said Ted, with pure disbelief.
“Do you climb a rainbow that touches the clouds?
Or ride on a blowing fall leaf?”
 
“The magic my boy is to believe with your heart
That there is nothing in life so absurd.”
The clown raised his balloons to the big empty sky
And muttered these magical words:
 
“Take us blues, purples and greens,
To the land of balloons we must fly.
Turn your faces to the glow of the sun
And lift us into the sky.”
 
The balloons bumped and squeaked, as they pulled the two up.
Suddenly, the day turned to night.
As the man in the moon switched on the stars,
He asked them softly to follow the light.
 
The balloons followed the stars and came to a stop;
Gently they spun in the air.
Ted looked at the clown and when the clown gave a nod ,
Ted turned and the heavens were there.
 
The clown bundled Ted, as the air quickly cooled.
He waved hello to the planets and moons.
“Look up young Ted and recall where you are,
For each star lights a thousand balloons.”
 
“These balloons in the air are carefully filled,
Like cookies with silky white cream.
Each balloon that you see carries inside,
Parts of a child’s lost dream.”
 
“When you find your dream, hold it tight, young Ted,
And should it ever go free,
Remember the secret, the secret of clowns,
For the heavens is where it will be.”

 

 

 

 

Reviews

[andrew mitchell]

A lovely story, a great read although I now see clowns as Tim curry in It ever since I saw that movie.

[Donna]

I love it! I also agree with Mary's review, it would make a wonderful Childrens book. Nice writing!

[John Ciarmello]

Thank you for the review Donna! I have been sending this one out. I haven't found the right home as of yet!

[Donna]

I wish you luck! Its a winner!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

this is like the opposite of Pennywise the Clown...this is a good one...trying to repair some of the damage that happens when children start growing up and seeing things that make their innocence start to fly away...

j.

[John Ciarmello]

Thank You so much for the review Jacob!

[Coyote Poetry]

A positive story for the clowns. They need some. I enjoyed the complete tale. You made me smile. Thank you John for sharing the amazing tale.
Coyote

[John Ciarmello]

You are welcome my friend I'm so happy you enjoyed it!

[Mary]

Wonderful! Delightful! I can almost see this poem as a picture book! It's refreshing to read a story about a child and a clown and a balloon that isn't scary, but warm and friendly. Great job!

[John Ciarmello]

I agree on the Scary Clowns! They have certainly taken a beating over the years. Happy I was able to hit the refresh button for you Mary. Thank you for the review!

[Mary]

(i must admit, however, I am a fan of Pennywise, hehe)

[John Ciarmello]

I won't tell anyone! lol especially Pennywise! Shh Your creepy clown fan club is safe with me! Until I post this Of Course! lol

[Mary]

we all float down here

[Neville]

Sami just hit the nail on the head with his review. The Secret of Clowns kept me well & truly entertained from one end to the other. A smashing read to be sure. All Good Things, Neville

[John Ciarmello]

Thank you for the review Neville! All good things to you as well.

[Neville]

My pleasure entirely sir

[Sami Khalil]

Nice analogy between balloons and dreams. You are a conversationalist and that is wonderful. I like how you sum it up with a lesson. Gracias for sharing ..