1. Seventeen Ropes

Seventeen ropes  hang  from the sky      

A rush to ascend!

The clouds strain but are  willing 

to hold the aspirers

Yet, three fall to  the depths 

smash as puzzled dogs watch  

content to stare, lick their  paws

shake debris from their coats

No one knows exactly where they are going

like sailors, arm over arm, shimmying up masts ,

But who can judge the fervor

the passion their  pointed aim for the goal?

And it goes on each year  

The trapeze is a new diversion

dare devils defy physical limits 

their bodies displayed in impossible flight

But the main act 

coercing the sky to hold 

a display of heavy bodies continues

as they clutch the illusion of ropes   

their notion a picture 

a mistake

like the air  

packaged

but not quite sold