This response was produced as part of the #CircusVoices scheme for developing critical practice around circus arts.
Viewed at: Summerhall, Edinburgh Festival Fringe; 10th August 2018
I am given a biscuit and sit down
It’s a Nice biscuit. Offering nostalgia
and comfort and coconut. I could have
chosen custard cream or
bourbon. a
a meeting
with a human
being – honest,
kind seaweed eyes
deep & wet.
I feel the biscuit
in my throat, sticking
on the glamour of the
western binge. I am
afraid of choking
in general.
I swallow. I am
in safe dangerous hands.
Stripped back
she performs
herself, her tricks, her
mix is toxic
I feel her very close
to my bones.
She went to circus school
like me.
She skips
she hoops
she laughs
She drinks
(or used to)
She introduces
her DNA
twisting up her family tree
For a while, she is out
of the picture
Bingo
She finds herself
up the tree
in her great
great
great
great
grey eyed
grandmother
the original strumpet
Notorious
Dangerous
A möbius strip tease
I want another biscuit.
.
