Juggler’s Fair Closing After Twenty Years

All those years spent
learning how, growing
more skillful, faster
as you mastered the knack of it
Now, one by one,
Learn a new thing learn
to drop the apple, bright blue
rubber ball, the flaming torches,
the swords.
Learn to love the look of emptied hands
Use the sword to slice the apples
arrange them on a plate alongside
a crusty baguette, a sharp cheddar
toss the ball to the puppy
light candles with the torches
savor their transformation
to tools and toys and food