please kill the clown

muffled voices fade gently
but the message remains
even as the deer becomes road kill
a clown fakes a smile
and children;
born of laughter
believe all is well

the light is dimming for an old man
but a smile dances accross his face
he was born of laughter too
even though the the muffled voice speaks clearly
to him now
still he smiles
and despite the fact that the imbecile clown has fallen
from a pedestal of blind youth
with a mock smile
with mock cheer
but no song
the old man glows
with rythym in his step

he can hear them now
his journey has slathered him
in the music of ages
and he laughs a true laugh
because it doesn't take a clown
to bring laughter
instead a mix of moxy and imagination
will do just fine

can you hear them, old man?
I can see you smiling
but allow me this last request
when they call your number
tell them to take the clown instead