"Here he is! The good old chap!
He'll lighten up our day!"
But do they know how hard it is
To be so bright and gay?

"Tell us a joke! Sing us a song!
Assume an amusing position!"
To always be the life and soul
Is not an easy mission.

"You're grumpy today! What's the matter with you!"
They aren't concerned for the clown.
They're simply disappointed
That their jester wears a frown.

They feel so vaguely cheated
That he isn't up to par.
"Well, you're no bloody fun today!
Come on, let's watch a spar!"

And so they leave their "friend",
In the sadness of his choosing.
They know that in a day or two,
He'll again be quite amusing.

To keep producing humour
Is not an easy ride.
The source cannot be infinite.
It comes from deep inside.

And if it must be replenished
By dark and sombre moods,
That's no excuse for ignorance
And unfeeling attitudes.

Sometimes it is the clown,
Whose greasepaint hides a tear.
Who needs for you to comfort him.
Who needs friends to be near.

So look at the man who jokes and laughs
And brightens up your days.
See behind the mask he wears,
And know the price he pays.

Penned by my hand on the 22nd of Aeguary, in the year 380 AF.