James Norcliffe
the comedians
the comedians do tricks
they flip on their backs
in the black water
until their white bellies
turn green
they snort
and blow
they spurt
and slyly nose all the buttons
of the sky
then headstand
showing every bite and weal
the cognoscenti know them by
the strait is narrow the rocks
are sharp and dangerous
the tightrope water
stretched between them
like a forced grin
and all along the rope
the comedians wobble
playing for every gasp
with a crazed purpose
until they dive deep
into a wave of apprehension
pulling the world with them
the trees the hills the sky
sucking in the world’s breath
for the last laugh
the last sigh
poetrymagazines note: The Comedians was published in Fire (UK) 2000 and Pearl (USA) 2003
Page(s) 50
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