My first trip to the Barnum & Bailey Circus

For cryin’ out loud, I’m fifty years old –
What do I want with the circus?
Been to the fly-by-nights, you know,
And I know how performers can work us.

But wasn’t I talked into going to see
The Ringling Brothers, Barnun and Bailey?
And right from the start I was hooked by the sights,
The ringmaster, music and gaiety.

The animals marched around the three rings;
The acrobats, too, took their turns
Twisting and flipping up in the air;
With somersaults , applause they’d earn.

Bello kept us riveted to our seats
By climbing, defying gravity’s laws.
Bengals, large kitty cats with fierce attitudes,
Showed us their teeth and their claws.

The clowns and their antics, the skits and their jokes,
How could we keep them all straight?
I never believed that I’d be the one
To say Barnum and Bailey is great.

The spangles and baubles and sparkly, long plumes,
Skipping elephants, dancers, contortionists,
The camels and lamas, the horses and zebras,
Trainers with props, fancy footwear and gymnasts,

Stilt walkers and giants and beautiful girls,
The lights and the music and mirth,
Truly makes Ringling and Barnum and Bailey,
The greatest show on earth.