BIG TOP DOG

It was an exhausted fire station.
Our Chief had really worked us.
So to show appreciation,
He bought us tickets to the circus.

“These front row seats are quite a treat,”
As we settled in to have some fun.
“A treat indeed,” our Gus agreed,
“We’re section 101!”


A man came by with things to eat ---
Popcorn, pizza, nachos, fries.
Max picked out a monstrous treat ---
A Texas Taco twice his size!

“A dollar for a hot dog?
That’s not as bad as you might think …”
“... Yeah, but you’ve got to really watch it,
Or they’ll drain you on the drinks!”


Shanghai Sammy swallowed swords,
As Magic Mack amazed our minds.
Then Ken the Clown exchanged choice words
With Journeyman Jack, the juggling mime.

We watched a lion jump through hoops,
As bears and elephants stood on stools.
Then Roy Rozinski raised the roof,
When he high-dived down a four foot pool.


It was time for intermission
Between the first and second acts.
So we walked out to concessions
To get a few more snacks.

When the break was finished,
To our seats we ran on back,
Where we found that one was missing,
“Has anyone seen Max?”


The house lights dimmed back down,
As a silence filled the air,
When high above the crowd,
A spotlight caught our stare.

“Ladies and gentlemen ...
Now in the center tent ...
Here for your dazzlement ...
Maaax the Maaag-niiif-iii-ceeent!!!”


He walked out on the wire,
And that Beagle took a bow.
Then the audience admired
As he posed on just one paw.

He danced on down the line
With a sault and vault and flip,
Then a flying five foot glide,
Landing low down in the splits.


He held the whole crowd captive
As he knelt back on his knees.
Then he pranced up on a platform
To take a try at the trapeze.

As he sailed across the tent,
“It’s a bird! It’s a plane! ... It’s Snoopy???”
Then he a braved a bold new stunt ---
A quadripledoubleduple!!!


The crowd went downright crazy,
Erupting in applause.
Then we watched in pure amazement
As he took off toward the stars.

No one’d ever soared so far!
He was the highest flier yet!
Then he reached out for the bar,
And landed squarely in the net.


I woke from my dream to find
That I was dangling by my tail,
Running out of time,
Holding on to no avail.

But the Father sent a Savior
So I won’t fall upon my face.
For with His net He’s always waiting
To catch me with His grace.


David J Allen
October 18, 2007


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