Performance At Noon

At a quarter

Until the stroke of noon

Jacob entered the casino's saloon.

He walked over

Stuck out his hand

and began to speak to Rue's right-hand man.

"Thank you kindly, Ronan.

I'm much obliged.

You will hardly believe your eyes."

Jacob turned

And with a wave of his hand

Motioned over his merry band.

Circus folk,

Both great and small,

All approached at Jacob's call.

A muscled man,

The strongest of all

Iron Pete is what he's called.

An exotic beauty

From the far away Caspian Sea,

Fatima's snake draped across her body.

A giant of a man,

So very, very tall,

Next to the smallest man of all.

"That is Samson

And his friend Tiny Tim,"

Said Jacob with a grin.

A man in a top hat

With a dashing mustache

Carried along, his knife stash.

"This is Monty,

The greatest at throwing knives.

Never misses the target, even with closed eyes."

A man in a cape

"I am Vincent the Great!

There is nothing from which I cannot escape"

Next to the magician,

Stood a pretty gal

His assistant gave a small bow.

Around the room,

Two mischievous clowns

Did zoom.

A young girl

Flipping head over heels.

Crossed the room with a delighted squeal.

When she landed

Jacob smiled and patted her head

"This is my sister Josie," he said.

"We all look

Mighty forward to putting on a show.

Now, where did Miss Rue go?"

Ronan said,

"Come along with me.

Rue will be along shortly."

He showed all the

Performers where to go,

Jacob and Monty went outside for their show.

Jacob grinned,

When he caught Rue's eye.

She was already waiting outside.

He watched Rue

As he took off his shirt.

With a smile threw it down in the dirt.

Rue's cheeks

Did bloom red.

Jacob laughed and this is what he said,

"Please folks,

Stand back and make way!

Fire is a cruel mistress I do say.

Watch closely

And you shall surely see

Fire has no power over me.

I have done it!

I have tamed!

I am the Master of the Flame!"

Jacob Craven

Pulled a torch from his rucksack.

"Please, folks stand back!"

Next, he removed

A piece of flint.

Struck the match and it lit.

The flame placed

Against the torch

Made it begin to scorch.

Jacob waved

The torch to prove

The fire was not some ruse.

He gave a wink,

Then a grin,

Lifted the torch, and tilted back his chin.

He opened

His mouth, nice and wide.

Slipped the fire inside.

He closed

His mouth around the flame.

"Oh my!" he heard a woman exclaim.

He was sure

To catch her eye

As his mouth opened the fire had died.

"Wait there is more,"

They heard him say.

Next, he did not extinguish the flame.

But rather Jacob

Gave a mighty expel of air

And breathed fire with utter care.

He was sure

Not to burn

Charming Rue or anyone.

Jacob then gave

A bow and folks cheered.

A man said, "I think a circus is just what we need here."

To Ruechari

He gave a wink and a smile.

"Ma'am, you lit my heart afire!"