Prologue

Poet:
Crowds give me the jitters,
One look at them and -Boom!-
My spirit turn into loose change.
And they'll get you turning cartwheels
If you let them get too close.
No, I'd prefer a quiet cloud in Heaven
To this noisy tenement.
Living on love and friendship...
What else does a poet need?
What you hear in your heart,
The clumsy truths that stumble
Past your teeth half-naked
Are smothered by the ticking of a clock.
It takes years to dress them
In a time-proof suit.
Toys are made for the moment.
What's genuine outlives galaxies.

Clown:
Rust-proof truths, eh?
If I hear another word about prosperity
I'll flip.
There's a crowd waiting-
Who's going to entertain them, you?
They can tell you'd rather
Sit on a tombstone groaning
Than juggle or joke.
Lighten up, my brother.
Listen to that applause!
Go ahead - be a noble fellow
Vent your every fantasy
Squeeze your heart dry-
But take heed:
Nietzsche died a lonely madman,
Jerry Lewis has his own telethon