
Circus shows once filled with excitement to delight
Few spectators now attend circus magic each night
Generation ago, numerous children experienced it all
Now mighty Big Tops have vanished with a huge fall
Sitting in the crowd with a perfect seat
Thrilled to adore another tasty treat
The ringmaster keeps the thrilling show moving along
Audiences soon realize that each act lasts only so long
Three rings keep crowd’s enthusiasm mounting with ease
Here come zany clowns, filled with foolishness to please
Dazzling jugglers and daring acrobats delight
Children dream of being in the circus spotlight
Sitting in the crowd with a perfect seat
Eagerly watching performances so sweet
Lions, tigers, and bears—Oh, what a sight to behold
Bravery shown by animal tamers, awesome and bold
Always pleasing are gigantic elephants from afar
Their majestic presence makes them the stars
Evening’s ultimate act flies high above three circus rings
Trapeze artists dangle with suspense from their swings
Sitting in the crowd with a perfect seat
Looking forward to each astonishing feat
Fewer circus companies still travel the globe
The “Greatest Show on Earth” needed to fold
Audiences once filled the Big Top’s nightly crusade
Now dying out, precious memories stumble and fade
New generation of young children shall never wonder
How circus night brought applause as loud as thunder
Sitting in the crowd with a perfect seat
Recalling circus images that will repeat

Yes, it is so sad!
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I was blessed a few years back to take grandchildren to the circus here in Columbus. It was likely my last visit.
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yes a real trip down memory lane, the dearth of circuses is mainly attributable to the fact that people felt the process was not healthy for the animals!
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Kate, I agree with your assessment about the demise of the circus.
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what a great poem, Richard. I remember how exciting it was to see the circus when it came to town, and I was always partial to the jugglers. I wonder how much of their demise is the result of protests over how some circuses may have mistreated their animals…
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Jim, I think your point about cruelty to animals triggered the demise as well as the extravagant costs of moving the circus from location to location.
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and there are so many more entertainment options these days…
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