The Big Top

Sights and sounds
take you around
to a wondrous encampment
of spinning lights and fireflies.

Ticket stubs
and ringing bells.
Balls to throw
at jugs of milk
often end
in empty-handed promises
or thinking there’s still hope.
“Next time,” you believe.

But one day you’ll find
a way out
of the house of mirrors
and be on your way home.