The Clown

With layers of gaudy makeup
white mouth, yellow face and
a red nose to make it worse
and sporting a child's garb
for so-called comic effect
and what is he without it?
when the paints are peeled
and the dress is changed
a very bitter man, I am sure,
as he goes out the exit door
I am the same or even worse
for I can't peel off the paint
nor this dress can I change
can leave the stage, but once  

Rejection

The choking smell of rejection
fills the little musty room
threads of unwanted affection
still spouting out of my loom
the loom I tried shutting down
the room I locked, hid the key
veiled the madness with a frown
thinking why is it always me?
now I can use some flattery
and probably some alcohol
while praise runs the battery
spirit lets the night roll
but for how long I am not sure
this madness can I endure 

The Ship

And away January went
like the wretched December
left my pride more bent
lower than I can remember
gone and still at large
the will to let it go
wish to sink this barge
that I aimlessly row
adorned with lofty sails
a poor flimsy structure
chasing imaginary trails
of foolish hopes I nurture
of capturing the unicorn
and taming its pointy horn