Step right up to the mirror, see the boy with tired eyes. Trying hard to laugh it off, while the laughter multiplies. There’s a drumroll in the distance. There’s a spotlight on the ground. And every little whisper, starts to sound like a crowd. They say life is what you make it. They say take it with a grin. But the joke gets heavy, when the joke starts closing in. It’s not fair, and it’s not a circus. No painted smile, can hide the hurting. Round and round, but the joke keeps turning. Life won’t wait, while the big top burns. It’s not fair, and it’s not a circus. There are posters full of promise. There are doors I never tried. There are people pointing somewhere, while I’m shrinking down inside. I can hear the future calling. But it doesn’t call my name. Just a horn and hollow laughter. And a voice that sounds like shame. Maybe I have been pretending, that none of this could sting. But the crowd keeps getting louder, when you don’t stand up for anything. It’s not fair, and it’s not a circus. No painted smile, can hide the hurting. Round and round, but the joke keeps turning. Life won’t wait, while the big top burns. It’s not fair, And it’s not a circus. Who said life was fair? Who said dreams come cheap? Who said I could drift along, And never fall too deep? Who said I could waste the day, and still outrun the night? Who said I could close my eyes, and wake up doing right? Laugh if you want to. Point if you must. Clap for the stumble. Cheer for the dust. But somewhere under the noise and the glare, I hear myself saying, this isn’t fair. It’s not fair! And it’s not a circus. No painted smile, can hide the hurting. Round and round, but the joke stops turning. If I stand up before the big top burns. It’s not fair! And it’s not a circus. No more hiding in the laughter! No more waiting to begin! If life won’t hand me answers, then I’ll have to walk toward them! It’s not fair! And it’s not a circus.
