Emily Izsak

Two-Ring Circus

They think these sequins and stockings
make us identical;
we are a synchronized spectacle.
I plunge open hands into pails of powder,
stippling candy floss air
with floating clouds of silver chalk.
Slick sweat trapped under gossamer gloves
cannot lick the level bar, cannot grease my grip.
I jump just to feel my heart dip.
Knees suspended from swinging rope,
I am reaching again;
pretending the distant net can hold my weight
only to gain the courage to be caught.
A graceful performance
to eyes in the ground level stands.

You walk with outstretched hands.
Tiptoeing on top of tense rope,
straight from beginning to end.
Careful steps.
Short breaths.
Slowly,
lest you stumble.
I tumble but you stand.
I will land at the end of your high wire;
when we clasp hands,
they will clap theirs together
though we will be much too high
to hear the applause.

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Emily Izsak is a first year English student at the University of Toronto. She is fond of modern American drama and lyric poetry. She was born and raised in Toronto.