Don't Let A Clown Be Loney

[danny_]

This was really pretty fun to read! I didn't expect so, given the length of each line, but it drew me along. I did trip a few times along the way, so the rhythm felt off, but I'm not experienced enough in this form of poetry to say for sure.

The very longest of them all is one that I have (only for now) to provide this possible change:
I here declare those gentlemen of painted face be known... as a buffoonery of clowns
[Original: I here declare those gentlemen of painted face should be known as...a buffoonery of clowns]

I just thought it rolled off the tongue easier.

BTW I thought "I really have no clues" was funny & cute.

Thanks for posting.

Don't Let A Clown Be Lonely

by


FATMAN BUTTER


When creatures gather in groups of more than three
How diverse and sometimes strange is our terminology
How did it come about that we have a murder of crows?
Who names them so, and the reasons why, Heaven only knows
Not just animals, but assemblies of any ilk can hold titles of renown
Perhaps fated to be friendless, a notable exception, is the poor circus clown


A scurry of squirrels, a host of sparrows
A string of pearls, a quiver of arrows
An army of frogs, a knot of toads, a bask of crocodiles
A stand of trees, a ring of keys, and a glow of smiles
A plague of rats, a cloud of bats, a mob of kangaroos
What do we call several clowns?—I really have no clues


Occasionally our words can be rather bland, for example, a herd of cows
Other accumulations can sound quite grand, like a parliament of owls
Also somewhat ordinary is a bunch of carrots
Yet almost outlandish: a pandemonium of parrots
But what of the clown? On one hand amusing; perhaps sinister on the other
Does this contradiction forbid him to rally with associate or brother?


A gaggle of geese waddling on the ground becomes a skein when they fly
If there's anybody who knows, would you please tell me why?
A crowd, when in a church, transforms to be a congregation
Swans, only when on water, are called a lamentation
It's a walk of snails, which is somewhat odd, as they're devoid of feet
And it's not a bed of oysters because that's the place they go to sleep


Some collectives have the power to intrigue and fascinate
Others go crash-bang-wallop, giving it to you straight
So, surely, the world of words can provide a moniker for those kings of slapstick
An accolade that says, watch out, and yet provides a smile—that would be the trick
I have it! Not only fitting the criteria, but I'm quite taken by how this sounds
I here declare those gentlemen of painted face should be known as...a buffoonery of clowns