Tiny Kim

Her family name was Kweson
but she never thinks of them
they sold her to the circus
where she starred as Tiny Kim

She danced along the high wire
and paraded with the clowns
with a smile bright as her spangles
till she came crashing down

The downfall left her limping
with a ringing in her ears
but at least it hides the silence
once filled with children's cheers

With love, her circus family
would've found her a new place
but she couldn't stand the pity
she saw on every face

Now she fills in at the news stand
and at the corner store
when owners have to take a break
Tiny Kim will man the door

She smiles and waves at babies
as they go passing by
and when they laugh and clap their hands
she feels she still can fly

Noone here knows the story
of how she got this way
but they forget her size and limp
when her smile lights up their day

c. 8/20/09, B. Riley