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The Wonders of Nature

A circus manager, who secretly likes to wear women’s clothes, has run out of money and is selling his wonders-of-nature show.

A slightly damaged fat lady, who for lack of a watercress salad has lost a couple of ounces of carefully nourished heft, priced for quick sale.

A contortionist who has twisted himself into an emotional knot being offered as a piece of modern sculpture.

A special bargain, Siamese twins, buy one, and get one free. Two for the price of one.

A three-legged man who has only two, but insists on a third; you have only to open his fly—By appointment only. Ladies preferred.

Finally, the bearded lady, who is actually a man wearing a dress. Otherwise the circus manager himself with a goatee pasted on his chin. . . .

from The Rooster’s WifeFind it in the library

Copyright © BOA Editions, Ltd 2005
Used with the permission of The Permissions Company, Inc.
on behalf of BOA Editions LTD.

Published in Poems Russell Edson

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