•
I’m the sad little clown with the frowning face
the round red nose and the great big tear
this meek facade and silly sham
belie the horror that I engineer
life’s dealt me cold my hand is slack
not one queen no king nor ace
so violence now dwells in me
masked behind my woeful face
no one suspects the evil soul
that festers deep in this funny fool
they know not the monster here
my gentle sheen conceals the cruel
they don’t realize a broken heart
a ruined life makes one quite mad
they simply see the pitiful
the painted face that looks so sad
the shaggy coat the baggy pants
the red suspenders the big white glove
they do not know it hides the hand
that choked the life from the one they love
town after town state after state
bodies mount in the circus’ wake
in the dead of night at the dark of moon
in frenzied fever each life I take
each beautiful each innocent
each unaware that they would die
there will be more on the road ahead
one for every tear you made me cry
when the circus comes and the tents go up
the people cheer in each sleepy town
because the poor fools just don’t know
who’s really come is the killer clown
• • •
rob kistner © 2011
_____________________
for two more tales of murder written in dark rhyme click “more”
A unique take of a poem, you have passed the message loud and clear. Thank you.
yikes…dude…clowns are a bit freaky as is…how can you trust one that needs to paint a smile on their face…smiles. fine bit of story telling rob…
Holy cow! Stephen King meets Edgar Allen Poe meets Criminal Minds. Many people are afraid of clowns. Turns out they were right. Awesome poem.
BTW, the graphic is very cool too. Did you draw it?
holy cow – that is one scary clown. and a serial killer at that – would make a great Criminal Minds episode. Like brian said, great story telling.
Wow, this was unexpected, after viewing the image. So well done. I love the image too – is it one of yours, Rob?
Dear Rob: If you didn’t like clowns before reading “Clown” I doubt you will after reading this! Creep-o-meter +++. I’ll never look at clown hands in white gloves ever the same way again..thanks Rob!.
Killer clown…yikes! Bittersweet with a wicked twist at the end. Nice write.
Here’s a clown piece I wrote a few years ago…
http://willowmanor.blogspot.com/2009/10/willies.html
Quite grisly bringing of the grue. I like the way the tension builds, the focus changes, from insipid sad clown to mad and twisted one. Well-written piece.
That was really a good read.
Chiller thriller for me too. I am so done with the circus.
Now that should be sent to criminal minds writers!
To those of you who suggest this scenario would make a good Criminal Minds plot, please know I love CM – so thank you, I consider that a gracious compliment… 😉
Very scary and horrifying Rob. You tell nearly a complete tale here though. Excellently crafted!
Oh these are masterfully done, hard to pick a fav…
you have added to this…bloody sue is frickin awesome…love it dark personally so you are right up my alley..smiles.
wow.. the clown piece was amazing. heavy, pulling emotion… and the ending is creepy. nice work
believe me..i never really like the clowns in circus when i was a child…and after reading this..i know why…
Just another reason to avoid those clowns, creepy piece indeed, nice!
Very well written, Rob.
I’ve never liked clowns and after the infamous Wayne Gacy case like them even less. I couldn’t help but think of Gacy while reading this. Yikes!
Yes Maureen, it was Gacy’s nickname that sparked in my mind as I viewed a photo of Chaplin — have no idea why…? 😐
the shaggy coat the baggy pants
the red suspenders the big white glove
they do not know it hides the hand
that choked the life from the one they love
Dark, this is like John Wayne Gacy dark….. scary….. well, written but it spooked me. Well written.
Clowns were never my cup of tea. After reading your poem, it just reinforced my belief. Gacy comes to mind when reading this.
So, this is exactly why I trust no one, lol. Just kidding. What a chilling piece, and I loved every bit of it 🙂
Oh wow.. you know ever since I was a child I never did like clowns, when all the other kids would cheer and laugh, I used to fear them for what was under their painted faced smiles.. and this piece hasn’t helped at all….LOLOL
Great writing though and thanks for visiting me.
Just went over and read Bloody Sue–great take on the seven deadly sins, and your collages are something else again–very effective. Thanks for both.
Like Heath Ledger as the Joker,
this clown uses his innocent make up
as the antithesis of his intentions;
like Stephen King’s IT, and yes,
Gacy too, you have dropped us
into a pit of clown homicides that
would freak out the good humor
man; good job.
yes! this was dark, sure, but it was entertaining and compelling. there’s a certain pride the voice has that adds to the sinister quality.
Clowns have always intrigued me. In a variety of ways. You have the funny yet sad ones. The Krusty ones, the ones that scare little girls a la poltergeist. And I really enjoyed your twist. Wonderfully plotted piece, really appreciated, thanks
Reminded me of an X-Files episode and was thoroughly horrific.
Cleaver and so unique, I love the message you have passed on here
http://gatelesspassage.com/2011/08/29/unsuspecting-creatures-of-the-night/
what frightful images you have painted here….
clowns entertaining and then killing….whew, no wonder they creep me out ~
A clown serial killer wow my kind of poetry this rocks!
powerful
I never liked clown before 🙂 you reinforced my feelings for them. A poem for NCIS. Very nice job. Chilling.
http://henryclemmons.wordpress.com/2011/09/07/regret/
Like the rhyming as a means of belying the true nature of your clown and your poem. Clowns do seem to evoke ambivalence… interesting poem.
I thought this was so well done, a nice way to take the story poetic, your rhyme and flow with it was perfect for the dark element. Nice write ~ Rose
back for a second read and the clown still freaks me out (smiles)
i love the darkness and the sinister nature that the clown so proudly reveals about himself. great tension. very engaging.
wham !! so dark and chilling .. and yet i feel sad for what made the clown so …
Well written and I never did nor do now like clowns…they always have be evil looking to me..so your poem hit home…bkm
I knew there was a reason I hated clowns. Fine bit of storytelling, this!
I knew I should be scared of clowns!
This is an entertaining and frightening read.
Creepy beyond measure. This is my first visit to your site, hope for a cheerier scenario next time (:
That was a pretty damn cool read!
Rob- Beautiful horror, my dear! I will never look at a circus clown the same again.
P.S. …and a little sad.
Oh my gosh, Rob! This is crazy horrifying. You achieved your desired effect.
I’ve never understood why some people are just terrified of clowns… oh!
more evidence to support my lifelong hatred of clowns!
This is superb.
Chilling indeed! A very accomplished piece. I listened to a couple of your readings and enjoyed them as well.
Thx, Rob. How am I supposed to sleep tonight?? =D Great read!
that’s why i hate clowns so much, always listen to those red flags…