May 2020
Jack e Lorts
jclorts@centurtytel.net
jclorts@centurtytel.net
Bio Note: I’ve published in many obscure little places, and some big ones,
since the late 1950’s, places like Arizona Quarterly, Kansas Quarterly and English Journal.
My book, The Love Songs of Ephram Pratt came out last year from Uttered Chaos Press. I’m a
retired teacher & school administrator living in a small town in eastern Oregon, married 59 years,
three daughters, 21 grandkids. Politically active, big Hillary supporter. Currently loving surrealism.
Ephram Pratt Remembers the Circus
The small boy
with lanterns for eyes
whispered in the wings
of the dying circus.
He studied French
when not performing;
he hoped to do card tricks,
to travel in Europe,
his smile drifting
through the open door
of his soul.
The grifters
were awaiting the arrival
of the tent,
the hiring of the
roustabouts
who could
blend soft
Indian Summer days
into soft
buffalo nights and
the songs of Ephram Pratt.
(Originally appeared in The Love Songs of Ephram Prat)
©2020 Jack e Lorts
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author (email address above) to tell him or her. You might say what it is about the poem that moves you. Writing to the author is the beginning of community at Verse Virtual.
It is very important. -JL