Today at dVerse, our prompt is “Come to the Circus!”
Here it comes again —
the circus: where animals
cry on the inside.
Performing stupid
painful, unnatural tricks
wishing they were home.
Whips and prods, people
yelling laughing big bright lights—
no wonder they snap.
So sadly the truth.
I know. It’s heartbreaking. Thank you for stopping by.
Finally, people are thinking of the animals, not just using them. It’s taken far too long. (K)
Thank you mtm. Glad you stopped by!
It does seem absurd to put animals through those antics. Well Done!
Thank you, Roth. :-)
Appropriately brutal and sad, for a horrid and unnecessary form of ‘entertainment’. A great way to highlight.
Thank you, Chris. Much appreciated!
I have to admit, I’ve never seen the circus. I wanted to but the folks never took us. My memories are all of films. When I think of jumping through hoops and fending off vicious people with whips, I think of work
Thanks Waltermarks. It makes me think of slavery. Thanks for stopping by!
sadly this is the truth, the reality we pretend not to see
Agreed! Thanks for stopping by, Singledust.
A searing look beyond the big top. Wonderful senryu sequence!
Thanks so much, Frank!
My pleasure! 😇
It is a grim reminder of this exploitation — I admire your critique of this system. Well-penned.
-HA
Thanks so much, HA!
Today, Cirque replaces Circus, and there are no animal acts–but there still are some small traveling Circus groups that cling to the animal traditions; a dying art form for sure.
Thank God!
I love your viewpoint… and I actually think the circus becomes better with acrobats and trapeze magicians
Thanks, Bjorn. I wish they wouldn’t have animals at all.
I like the description of animals crying on the inside.
Thank you, Frank!
How I feel too. Animals in circuses are banned in many places. Even one of the big family circuses here, Bouglione (French spelling, Italian name) have come out for animal welfare and condemn the circuses that still use and abuse animals.
Good for them! I hope one day all circuses are animal-free. Thanks for stopping by!
Most European countries have a ban on wild animals, and many towns here won’t allow circuses with any animal acts at all.
It’s so unnatural. Thankfully, kids today are smarter.
Yes, thank God. I’d only been to one circus in my life and that was enough. Thank you, VJ!
One was enough for me too.
Thankfully, I’ve never seen a circus with animal acts – other than horses. This is very poignant, and goes right to the heart of it. The illustration is perfectly chosen, too – those elephants look deeply unhappy.
Thank you, SM. Yes, the expressions on the elephants’ face says it all.
Part of the circus few give thought to sadly…how the poor animals feel. nicely penned
Thank you, Dorianna. I do feel for the animals.
The other side of the coin behind the lights and the magic. Well written.
Thanks, Beverly!
Nice write
Much😊💛😊love
Thank you gillena!
Yes, that is how I remember the circus!!
I think circuses should be banned everywhere, but that probably won’t happen. Thank you for stopping by!
Whatcha think?