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"The Upside-Down Clown"
Jeff Woodside

It could be a laugh, more often it's a frown
Every time I see them they seem to follow me around.
I know they don't like me, and I'm scared of the clowns

They run at me at the circus and march toward me at the parade
The clowns rule most parties, but at least I'm not alone
The only time they can get to me is when I make it home.

There on the mantle in the den and even on the tv every afternoon
My father found a drunk one, that my mother helped him save
My mother even threatens me with them when she wants me to behave

Last night while I was sleeping I had an awful dream A giant clown was grabbing me and I couldn't even scream I woke all wet and sweating and safely in my bed

Then out of nowhere Toot! Toot! Went a horn
A thought came to me about what my little brother said He couldn't find the clown that had lain upon his bed

I thought I must be crazy when I heard a scratch on the floor Then as my heart pounded in my chest a balloon rose above my bed

I knew I wasn't dreaming as I started shaking my head
I scooted across my mattress slowly to the edge
I slid my head downward till the top hit the floor
And there was the upside-down clown that will haunt me evermore

"From Then Till Now"
Jeff Woodside

There was a time when I was on top. I thought I had it all
Parties, friends, and money. Proud and lofty is how I acted I never thought I could lose it all

Then as quick as raindrops fall
I looked up from the bottom, everything I had was gone My high and reckless way of living took my money Then my fair weather friends moved on

Now I'm alone and so empty. I feel like a shell of a man All my wisdom now departed, I just can't find a reason to stand

As I lay and pondered about my life from a child till now It was then I remembered what my grandmother used to say out loud

"There are angels all around us, some we meet unaware" Now my heart is ready to trust the one who placed them there!