French circus owner Teddy Seneca of Cirque Montreal greets children as the voice of the circus (English version at foot of page)
'This is the place...!' Traditional shout from the clowns as they come tumbling in to the circus ring. And other people in the circus say it, too...
‘This is the place’
Says the circus boss
Tapping his pen on the newly signed contract
For a site he's sure
Will be the best of the season.
‘This is the place’
Says the tent-master
Setting a marker pin
At the centre of the circus's world
For this week only.
This is the place –
The circus ring.
Sweet with sawdust,
Dazzling in light
And death-defying daring,
In triple-turning, tongue-twisting
Concentricity.
‘This is the place'
Say the clowns,
Setting down their simple props;
A bucket, a ladder,
A slapstick plank.
They make this place their own,
The laughter ring.
‘This is the place’
Shout the kids in their seats
Candyfloss-wielding
Popcorn-stuffing;
Their senses full
With light and smell,
Laughter and wonder;
With life itself
The same but ever new.
Chris Barltrop 2017
THERE'S ANOTHER POEM ON THE PAGE TITLED 'NEW TOWN ARRIVAL'
A translation into English of the 'voice of the circus' speech of Mr Teddy Seneca (see top of page)