THEATRE OF THE ABSURD
(for Kevin)

Dear Mr. Barnum:

Please excuse Sisyphus. He is temporarily unable to fulfill his contractual obligations. I fear he is quite unwell.....

Sneering demons who'd look on and laugh,
Simpering imps who'd pat him on the back,
Half-hearted roars--tepid applause
Well-meaning patrons moved only by flaws---
Sisyphus phoned in sick.

Tired of the nothing--tents up tents down,
The sadness of peg-holes left in the ground,
A ton-and-a-half of elephant shit
High expectations--always unmet---
Sisyphus phoned in sick.