It's unlucky to paint your wagons green.

It’s unlucky to paint your wagons green

Grey water, red canvas, iridescent sparkle

Muffled thunder pulsates through bare sheens of canvas

Cues are clear in the steady rainbow glow of the big top, a well-rehearsed dance between

artist

and

audience.

The iridescent gleam emerges in transcendent, otherworldly openings

An immersion of sound and intermittent beacons of bright white light

Despite the peripheral darkness we pierce with our craft

Familiar faces, cast in red, violet, no… emerald, turquoise, a vibrant fusion,

move like shadows

Props shifted, ember silhouettes stretching beyond capability

Dancing beyond physical probability in the gradient of the tent.

Prepare. Prepare

An orange roar from the other side of the wall indicates the final few moments

The last enjoyment of an intimate time when words are of no use

Only movement

and sound

and colour

The next performer prepares, last minute checks, ensuring that each impeccable detail is blindingly splendid.

It is unlucky to paint your wagons green, or to not step right foot first into the ring

However, these next few steps, bathed in pink, violet… no, chrome green, shed the everyday persona and reveal a fascinating physical oddity beyond recognition.

The steps are taken.

A new dance has begun

Always, always, see you down the road

See you down the road

Down the road.

The dance continues on.