Jackanapes

The matches light the gun powder
It burns ash slowly into the canon
As I put this gun in my mouth
And everyone stares

Everyone stares anticipating a circus
They hop on one foot
Gorging on candy I made for them
Completely missing their mouths
Smearing themselves with my sweat

In their other hands they tote guns
Similar to mine; the same make and coating
They loved the feel of the pistols
They often mistook them for the candy
But they always pulled it out
In fear of transforming into me

They laugh as I laugh
But my laughter spews blood
And everyone is colorblind
They just went by sound
Leaving sight to die in the dust

No one asks the clown as to why this is his act
No one bothers to see the tears running from his eyes
No one acts like anything is out of the ordinary
No one wonders why they laugh

Before I pull the trigger, I wonder
I wonder if there is one audience member, at least,
That weeps for this clown

Then I saw one viewer throw her gun down
In protest of my act

She had a wound like I will in moments