Why Do Clowns Exist?

By Shashwat Shukla

In life on earth as a species desperately searching for control and perception

We project

We tend to solve our anxiety and satiate vicariously

Life happens, one nightmare at a time

And after a while,

We convince ourselves that we are in a dream

And dreams, unlike days, are fetterless

They’re under our control

We can mould them to feel less painful

And so we paint faces and put on wigs and long broached shoes

But not on ourselves...

We project

Because control in a dream, unlike days, works outside in,

We paint our nightmares on someone’s face

And what would be scary in a dream, is funny in the living nightmare that is life

When you see a clown and wonder what’s wrong with their face

It’s not the What that is worrying

It’s the How

How did it come to pass that

Someone has painted their face and worn a wig and hidden themselves in a mask just because we want control

Just because

We project

We feel entitled to happiness

And impose our need onto others

Others less fortunate to be born to keep others happy

We see clowns without masks each day doing not so funny things to keep us happy

Someone to clean your car

Someone to cook your food

Someone to drain the sewer

Someone to mine the coal

Someone to fight your war and

Someone to look desirable

Why do these ‘clowns’ exist?

Because our happiness knows no boundaries

Because happiness requires that

We project

By Shashwat Shukla