Poem - Harlequin's Eulogy

[kokopelle]

There are people who live in your life on the edges. They are impressive, marginally tragic, and incredibly brave. The poem “Harlequin's Eulogy” is an imagined dedication to just such a person in my life.


Harlequin's Eulogy
Poem for Day 246 – 20150904

You were the distracted harlequin
who never touched the heavens
while visiting the higher hells.
Wore the colors to match the masque,
bright diamonds on skin and clothe
to hide the tears as they dropped.

You were the burlesque entertainer,
brave performer of the center stage
who shed the outfits but not the heart.
They say that you revealed it all,
I think not because all the while
your soul was still concealed.

You were the Frank-N-Furter to Brad and Janet,
black corset with fish net stockings,
with the blue sky seen beyond.
It's not easy to have a good time
through the tears you had in your eyes
when smiling made your face ache.

You were the artist living in the world,
seeking an identity outside yourself.
These roles were worn with ease
and still you wondered who you were.
You said to be another was the greatest loss,
the bitter sweet truth of you my friend.

© 2015, Sean Green. All Rights Reserved.

Comments

[pipisafoat]

You said to be another was the greatest loss,

this is probably one of my favorite lines of any poem ever. also it is sort of a theme this week for me apparently.

[kokopelle]

That line was straight out of one of their FB comments. It sparked the poem given the entertainer archetype that my friend embraces. The struggle to identify and hold who we really are is one of life's biggest challenges.