I climb to the upper arch of heaven

To gamble skill against a sickening fall,

Trusting the frail ropes and bars to hold, hold.

I see the safe sawdust, hear brass bands play,

Swing through the void from thought to thought,

Hang poised on each a dizzy instant, while my mind

Aches with my body's weight. Over again

A thousandth time I somersault my trick,

Learned to bitter perfection. When I dare,

I glance below , and see my second self,

My clown, my partner, scuttle through the ring,

Play ape to my most difficult flight, then trip,

Fall flat upon his idiot face; and hear

The grandstand's faint applause and bellowed laugh.