Jack in a Box
Last year around this time
I attended the funeral of a friend.
His name was Jack
and he was a circus performer.
The children don’t like you
they said.
You’re too sad to be a clown.
Sadly it was true.
He quit smiling
shortly after he quit the circus.
I stood there at the casket
not knowing
whether I should laugh or cry
while the other clowns did
what clowns do.
After the funeral I went home,
poured myself a drink
and smiled while I still could.
Jaundré van Breda © 2020