The Big Top Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABAB CDCD EFEF GHGH IJIJ FKFL MNMN OPOP| The boom and blare of the big brass band is cheering to my heart | A |
| And I like the smell of the trampled grass and elephants and hay | B |
| I take off my hat to the acrobat with his delicate strong art | A |
| And the motley mirth of the chalk faced clown drives all my care away | B |
| - | |
| I wish I could feel as they must feel these players brave and fair | C |
| Who nonchalantly juggle death before a staring throng | D |
| It must be fine to walk a line of silver in the air | C |
| And to cleave a hundred feet of space with a gesture like a song | D |
| - | |
| Sir Henry Irving never knew a keener sweeter thrill | E |
| Than that which stirs the breast of him who turns his painted face | F |
| To the circling crowd who laugh aloud and clap hands with a will | E |
| As a tribute to the clown who won the great wheel barrow race | F |
| - | |
| Now one shall work in the living rock with a mallet and a knife | G |
| And another shall dance on a big white horse that canters round a ring | H |
| By another's hand shall colours stand in similitude of life | G |
| And the hearts of the three shall be moved by one mysterious high thing | H |
| - | |
| For the sculptor and the acrobat and the painter are the same | I |
| They know one hope one fear one pride one sorrow and one mirth | J |
| And they take delight in the endless fight for the fickle world's acclaim | I |
| For they worship art above the clouds and serve her on the earth | J |
| - | |
| But you who can build of the stubborn rock no form of loveliness | F |
| Who can never mingle the radiant hues to make a wonder live | K |
| Who can only show your little woe to the world in a rhythmic dress | F |
| What kind of a counterpart of you does the three ring circus give | L |
| - | |
| Well here in the little side show tent to day some people stand | M |
| One is a giant one a dwarf and one has a figured skin | N |
| And each is scarred and seared and marred by Fate's relentless hand | M |
| And each one shows his grief for pay with a sort of pride therein | N |
| - | |
| You put your sorrow into rhyme and want the world to look | O |
| You sing the news of your ruined hope and want the world to hear | P |
| Their woe is pent in a canvas tent and yours in a printed book | O |
| O poet of the broken heart salute your brothers here | P |
Joyce Kilmer
(1)
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