Acrobats of History, by Rebecca Surmont

The Trapeze, by Max Beckmann (Germany) 1923

Acrobats of History
 
There is a new relativity, a condensed space 
in thickened air; sockets to balls, lines to curves, 
curves taking on new weight,
anchoring where we use to swing and fly
Taut, trained bodies find and climb with sideways faces
looking for landing pads between broken lines
 
Shows have closed but we know about limitation
the bars are set both low and high.
We try to wrap the tent in lights that won’t burn out,
keep the lines secure to they can support again but
the drums and horns commence a funerary rite so
we play the angle needed to support a fall
and watch the rigging melt
 
the clown is on the wire;
the fools have left the tent
There are no nets; just hope in the shadows, 
we tumble sideways out of order --  
how will they frame us,
the acrobats of history?

Rebecca Surmont
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Rebecca Surmont has Masters degrees in English and Leadership Consulting. She spent 15 years performing and teaching throughout the Midwest and makes her home in Minneapolis where she consults, coaches, and writes. Her work has been found in New Verse News, Silver Birch Press, The Southwest Journal and an anthology, Seasons, by Trolly Car Press.