This poem describes a circus scene where the speaker reflects on the fleeting nature of life and beauty. The circus is portrayed as a microcosm of society, with its performers and spectators alike being subject to the whims of fate. The speaker notes how the beautiful and exotic animals are confined within their cages, much like people are trapped in their own lives.
By Joyce Kilmer · First published 1908 · Genre: Essay, Literary Criticism, Philosophical