THOM THE WORLD POET: The Daily Poem

Rob Ayling writes: 

"Thom the World poet is an old mate of mine from way back in my history. Even pre-dating Voiceprint, when I was running "Otter Songs" and Tom's poetry tapes and guest appearances with Daevid Allen, Gilli Smyth and Mother Gong are well known and highly regarded. 

It just felt right to include a daily poem from Thom on our Gonzo blog and when I approached him to do so, he replied with in seconds!!! Thom is a great talent and just wants to spread poetry, light and positive energy across the globe. If we at Gonzo can help him do that - why not?" 

STAGE ACTS

Live acts (before radio shows claimed ears )owned our eyes

As a child,i loved the travelling circuses and variety acts

who would perform in SIDESHOW ALLEY.

Jimmy Sharman's Boxing Troupe offered twenty pounds

for the audence member who could defeat his best  boxer.

Bass drums were banged,men in silk gowns and boxing gloves would parade

the barker would shout at the crowd to agitate and excite them-always some newbie

stepped up to pay to get flattened.Hope is like that.I remember the last vaudeville acts-

performing animals and jugglers-later to be absorbed into circuses

but always exotic to young village youth.Ancient traditions continue-

now digital effect replace magicians and freak shows-but memory holds value

in the days when exceptional artists earned a living from credulous audiences

Just like politics today.