Innocence Masqued

"There, there, now, he's only a clown!"
So soothes my mother,
as I cringe and try to hide behind her gown.

"Look here, now, his face is merely painted!"
So comforts my father,
for I am certain he wouldn't like it if I fainted!

"Why does he have to hide his real face?"
I ask, in my childish manner,
fearing that his real face may be only a blank space.

"Dear one, he wants to bring happiness to you!"
Mother's calming voice croons,
while I still search for a place to hide from his view.

"Come now, no need to be afraid of clowns at all!"
Father is smiling warmly now,
but I bet he was afraid of clowns when he was small!

"When I grow up I won't hide behind fake smiles!"
I boast to my parents, quite naively,
unaware that the clown and I would, one day, be reconciled.

Lora Frikken ~ 5-31-03