Poet:

Crowds give me the jitters,

One look at them and -Boom!-

My spirit turn into loose change.

And they'll get you turning cartwheels

If you let them get too close.

No, I'd prefer a quiet cloud in Heaven

To this noisy tenement.

Living on love and friendship...

What else does a poet need?

What you hear in your heart,

The clumsy truths that stumble

Past your teeth half-naked

Are smothered by the ticking of a clock.

It takes years to dress them

In a time-proof suit.

Toys are made for the moment.

What's genuine outlives galaxies.



Clown:

Rust-proof truths, eh?

If I hear another word about prosperity

I'll flip.

There's a crowd waiting-

Who's going to entertain them, you?

They can tell you'd rather

Sit on a tombstone groaning

Than juggle or joke.

Lighten up, my brother.

Listen to that applause!

Go ahead - be a noble fellow

Vent your every fantasy

Squeeze your heart dry-

But take heed:

Nietzsche died a lonely madman,

Jerry Lewis has his own telethon