Black Eye, Blacker Bear

I cried and cried until my mom

Finally took me to the circus.

Thick stripes of red and white

Swooped down from ceiling’s center

Tent protected me from darkness

Better than parents ever did

Performing bear’s muffled growl, muffled

Sob suppressed by metal muzzle

Peanut shells crunched beneath

Unlaced light-up Sketchers...

I gravitated toward concession. Darted

To sweet, inviting aroma

Butter scent wrapped greasy arms around

My minuscule frame until

Pointed corner of tall glass table

A crystal fist to the eye, I cried

And cried and cried and cried until

My mom told me to quiet down.