Two Sylvias Press Advent Calendar challenge: Day 21

For all the poems in this Two Sylvias Press Advent Calendar challenge for 2023, visit my musings here.

Prologue: This is a 31 day event that helps poets and authors all over to pen down 31 new poems in the month of December (2023). Every day we can open the calendar for that day to read about the prompt for that day. Then let your imagination fly to infinity with your thoughts and voice.

For Day 21 the Prompt given to us was to write a poem using contranyms – words that have two opposing meanings. Here is my take. All the bolded words are contranyms I used.

Prompt 21: Bolting to the Circus without Bolting the Door

We rushed to the circus as we got the last two tickets that were left.
But we were barred from entry at the last minute; surprised and anguished
We marched to the ticket counter. My friend recently was barred into practicing
Her passion as a lawyer; she put her skills to good use getting us the entry.

The first act was the magician’s act who buckled himself to a panel
Where his assistant threw sharp knives to cleave the wood
Without injury. Next came the mystery horse who wanted to cleave
To it’s own agenda while it buckled from exhaustion.

The Comedy duo act was just fine; but not as fine as aged wine
Or well marinated veggies. The thought brought on a bout
Of hunger that we left the circus towards the food stand.
Grabbed some shelled pistachios and hazelnuts.

Our gaze went to the corralled section where some exotic
Animals were held. We watched a shelled tortoise glide by.
All in all it was a wicked experience for us
Without any wicked events to mar the feeling.