The Circus
The big, bright, red and yellow striped tent could be seen from miles and miles away on the dark and dreary hill outside of town. Decorated with twinkling bright lights that illuminated the outside, attracting all sorts of beings. Inside was a bombardment of colorful fabrics embellishing the tent; magenta, royal blue, crimson red and emerald green.
There was fire. Fire lit torches at every corner, burning bright and powerful. Carnival music poured out of the tent tantalizingly tempting any and all listeners. The circus smelt like a lot of things but they never mixed in together. One could always distinguish each and every scent that filled the air. It smelt like popcorn and candy floss. It smelt like corndogs and hotdogs. It smelt like cigarettes. The floor of the tent was covered in hay and the floor of the bleachers was covered in cigarette butts and peanut shells discarded by the visitors.
Bleachers set up at the circumference of the tent glued down the visitors as they fell into a trance watching the captivating performances put on by the gifted entertainers, their rehearsed movements looked effortless as they caused the brightly lit fire torches to reflect light off their sparkly sequined costumes in the most magical of ways; they were dazzling. Their faces were decorated with elaborate yet bizarre makeup.
They were right in the middle of the audience putting on an intricate and bewildering show for all to watch. And they did. They all watched and gaped, their eyes glued to the performers as each one of them, one by one performed their pieces flawlessly. The acrobats, the clowns, the jugglers, the cyr wheelers, the rope walkers; some leaping and flying through the air. And some bending fire to their own will. Some even performing with gorgeous trained circus animals like elephants and lions, executing their acts with fire and magic.
Truly, the place seemed consumed with mystical secrets of the unknown. The children in the audience saw things they never thought possible, the adults saw the otherworldly wonder that came with the magical place that was the Circus of Dire Dawa. They cheered and clapped loudly every time they were enthralled and mesmerized by their tricks.
That night was an experience they would always remember and carry with them even after leaving this place behind.
And this was what the performers lived for. The feeling of excitement that came with them entering on stage with the spotlight shining brightly on them. The feeling of being loved that came with seeing the bright smiles decorating the faces of the visitors. The feeling that came with the act they put up of being otherworldly for the sake of entertainment and the happy screams of excitement.
- Oreo
