If you ever see a clown smiling,
ever witness teeth locked tight
beneath makeup about to
drip down those sunken cheeks
on a hazy humid afternoon,
ever look at hollowed out eyes
that move closer and closer
until they’re gazing into your own,
pupils black but alight
with such sweet, slaking violence…
always check and make sure
he’s only carrying a balloon.
C.M. Crockford is a writer living in Philadelphia, PA with their partner and cats. Their second chapbook Mark The Place is out now from ThirtyWest Publishing. Follow them on Twitter @cm_crockford.