Send In The Clowns...

[Louis P. Burns aka Lugh]

I'm hoping this section where circus and clowns are a theme takes off because I was looking to maybe work with a few other writers on here to put a book together that can be sold to raise money for the; circus2iraq / Boomchucka team.

circus2iraq / Boomchucka are a great bunch of people from all walks of life that go out to warzones like Iraq and put on entertainment, teaching circus skills to children caught up in conflict areas. They provide education and fun, but most of all they provide a sense of normality that these children so desperately need.

Please note; I am not a spokesperson for; circus2iraq / Boomchucka but think that their cause warrants support from this community and other outlets in Ireland and the UK.

The titles I have typed below may hopefully be a source of inspiration for us all and may lead to work that can be compiled into a book that can be sold to raise money for; circus2iraq / Boomchucka...

• Big Tops And Sideshows
  Extravaganza
  Roll Up, Roll Up
  Send In The Clowns
  The Day After The Circus
  The Master of Ceremonies / The Ringmaster
  The Strongman
  We're Just Clowning Around
  When The Circus Comes To Town

Cheers ...

[Catherine Edmunds]

Thanks for posting this, Lugh. I've just been browsing their site, and this quote struck me: The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989), Article 31, recognizes 'the right of the child to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts.' Also, a survey carried out by UNICEF just before the last invasion in Iraq, found that over 40% of its children can't see a point to life. As the writer on the site says, no child should ever feel like that.

I think what the Boomchucka team are doing is brilliant. If anyone thinks it sounds a bit weird, and wonders how circuses can possibly be useful things, then just go and follow the links Lugh has posted.

I've never written a 'circus' poem, but I'm certainly going to try now, and I hope others will too. Don't worry about being 'good enough', either. Just jot some ideas down. There are enough of us here with editing experience to help sort out anything to do with the writing. Not just poems, either; how about reminiscences, short stories, songs... plenty of scope, so let's get writing

[upstate]

Hi Delph

Lugh here on the admin passport. Thank you for bringing this point up to other members. What Boomchucka are doing is without doubt, the most original method of assistance to warzones I have ever seen. I'm not damning any honourable campaigns by other groups, it's just that what they are doing has long-lasting effects on all who experience their help. They work to inspire and reanimate the whole sense of childhood.

I've started a short story called; The Day After The Circus. I'm still chipping away at it. Have to admit though, my creativity levels are all over the place at the moment, but I'm hopeful.

I echo every word you say Delph and this should not just be poetry, but articles, memories of your own experiences with the Circus, stories, songs, essays. Please note also that your piece does not have to be in any way attached to war. Simply your creative writing or experiences of the circus.

It's all good ...

[Louis P. Burns aka Lugh]

julian the clown
By Louis P. Burns aka Lugh © 2006. All Rights Reserved.

• julian joined the circus
  then he clowned around a while
  said his only ambition
  was to make the whole smile
  
  he toured with many others
  sharing the tricks of their trade
  spreading a message of love
  where once only war was made
  
  so, we all should commend them
  paint our faces for the day
  make laughter flow like water
  and make hatred fade away

[spacecadet]

I've been giving this theme a go but I have some bad news. I've always found clowns sinister and I can't shake the image. I don't think anything I could possibly write would be what the organisation needs.

Now I'm a grown up I realise that clowns are not really evil, but I still find something incredibly sad about them.

[Catherine Edmunds]

I'm the same. Clowns are scary and sad at the same time. I'm trying really hard to think up some cheerful, or at least optimistic writing on a circus theme, but am finding it flippin' hard. I only visited a circus once and found it an unsettling (and surprisingly smelly) experience.

I'll keep trying, but this is a tough one.

[Louis P. Burns aka Lugh]

I've been giving this theme a go but I have some bad news. I've always found clowns sinister and I can't shake the image. I don't think anything I could possibly write would be what the organisation needs.

Now I'm a grown up I realise that clowns are not really evil, but I still find something incredibly sad about them.

Have you been reading Stephen King horror novels Dave? Old Pennywise the Clown put the fear of God into me when I read 'It'...

I too had a slight fear of them when I was a child and went to a locally run circus, but in retrospect I think it was because the clown reaked of whiskey.

I'm the same. Clowns are scary and sad at the same time. I'm trying really hard to think up some cheerful, or at least optimistic writing on a circus theme, but am finding it flippin' hard. I only visited a circus once and found it an unsettling (and surprisingly smelly) experience.

I'll keep trying, but this is a tough one.

This whole idea doesn't have to be specifically about clowns. How about trapeze artists or strongmen, ring-masters, dancing bears etc? As long as the we can put together a collection or 'circus related' pieces of work, we should be able to move forward with this.

I worked for a week as a clown for a charity here in Derry back in 1994. I have to admit, it is a thankless task.

Lol, smelly. Yes, I can fully agree with you there Delph...

Cheers folks...