The Joker

Smoke and mirrors

Swinging wide

See the joker smiling

Waving his finger knowing

Those things you do.

 

His faced may be masked

But his eyes see

Your smoke-filled lungs

Your bag-shot eyes

Your chipped nails

 

He is a bright shiny yellow caterpillar

Tearing down those walls

Brick by brick

Surprised at how easy your façade is to

Crack and crumble

 

Leaving you standing

Cold, alone, naked

In you puddle of lies

He throws a stone

watching the ripples

 

wondering how you ended

at the bottom of all things

you ask the joker

who shrugs and starts to juggle

a ball shaped rainbow

 

you scream and you shout

but the joker keeps on juggling

his mask a painted smile

only when you yell “why me?”

does he turn towards you

 

swiftly he crosses the rippling waters

his curled boot just skipping over the surface

he stands above you

a stern jester

a solemn clown

 

his gloved hand reaches slowly

and removes the mask

underneath

you stare into a mirror

 

you are a joker

you are the joker

and if you don’t stop

you’ll become the beggar

then the thief

living on sparse hopes and fleeting chances

grasping for something more

 

and one day

you’ll end up

as the wanderer

 

Reviews

[.]

wow, this weaved a tale with splendid imagery. great read.

[Natalie]

This poem has so much more depth to it than just the story it's telling. I love the end, I really wasn't expecting that. I love reading poems or stories that surprise me. You did a great job. It flowed well and it was very descriptive. Loved the imagery too.

[Gracie-San]

Wow. This poem is really thought-provoking. It has a solemn, almost scary, feel to it with a little truth hidden in the last few verses as well. This was great. Well done!