Robert Frost, "Villanelle of the Circus Villains"

A "villanelle", in 19th-century poetic parlance, was a very structured 19-line form based on Italian popular song; the first and third lines must repeat in a standard pattern. Many modern poets have tried their hand at them, but of those I have read, this is my favorite.

Head toward the exit if you can.
Smiling, pointing at the dollar seats,
we crawled beneath the tent. They pulled us in,

gave us candy bars, red paper fans,
free soda pop, though we were clearly cheats.
Head toward the exit if you can.

We tried to leave it, once the show began,
ducked below the bleachers and the feet.
We crawled beneath the tent. They pulled us in.

The players caught us even though we ran,
Gave us better places and more sweets.
Head toward the exit if you can.

They masked us, made us join the caravan
to ride their cycles, wheeling in dead heat.
We crawled beneath the tent. They pulled us in.

The circus is on fire to a man.
The band is clowning out some new retreats.
Head toward the exit if you can.
We crawled beneath the tent. They pulled us in.

1924