This poem is particularly suited to choir work, with striking images of the circus that allow single voice and unison work. Children love a poem with lots of light and shade, voices used for characters, and movement allied to the words.
THE CIRCUS
Michele Lourie c 2016
Ladies and Gentlemen, Attention please!
See the strongest man in the world right here!
Enjoy the mini circus of fleas!
Watch Lions and Elephants,
Draw near, draw near.
Hoopla, hoopla, all can play,
Win a prize, try your luck,
Snag a quoit on the upper shelf,
Choose a doll or a rubber duck.
In the big tent, sit and stare in awe
As figures on trapeze fly high.
What if one of them should fall?
And when they don’t? Give a great big sigh.
Horses trot with ribboned manes,
Monkey tricks and cheeky clowns,
Bikes on a wheel defying death,
Flashing lights and roaring sounds.
“Please, do we really have to go?”
Faces covered in fairy floss shout.
But tonight the circus has finished its run,
So we stand and watch all the lights go out.