CLOWNS

amongst the characters are both
men and objects for clowns combine
all essences of life
     by this I mean our laughter is provoked
              by both the bucket
                            filled with confetti
& the person cowering  
frightened and alarmed
in the front row

now my laughter divides despair
for Snout presents his wall
for fairest Thisbe

or if this scene were played in the fields
we might dispense with Snout
fo a hedge might serve

& the rain might fall
the rain might fall most unequally on Thisbe
& poor Flute the bellow mender would be so wet
he'd sneeze

          but hark !

these bugles announce the hunt doth ride
this fanfare proclaims the King
& poor Bottom is asleep
does not heed the hounds of death...

exeunt Snout & Flute, kind Peter Quince
O dear Nick Bottom so sound asleep
beware the hounds don't bite you

even Orpheus flees this scene
& the speed of his passing
bends back the trees

the world roars up to your innocence

for the King hath promised his Queen
her favorite pleasure of the chase

to pop out your balls like olive stones
to wear them on her necklace



Dick Russell
Wolfprints, 1971