Circus

You left to join the circus
As it travelled through our town,
You said you were a lion-tamer
Not a lady’s clown.
I didn’t mean to hurt you,
I was trying to play it cool.
I didn’t mean to be unkind
Or treat you like a fool.

The flat was cold and empty
So I let it to a man
Who was a part-time actor
And drove an ice-cream van.
His wife had left to join the air force
In a neighbouring town;
She said she was a flyer
But she thought he’d let her down.

I left to go to London
To get a job outside.
I couldn’t stand to watch the mirror
Watching while I cried.