It was an evolving matter
Of agreed on fact
That swayed the puppeteer
To reach back
And slide his hand
Into a new face
One with a bit more grace
A softer voice
To calm the noise
As he spoke,
            mouth unmoving
Through a goat of his choosing
To ease the uprise
If not,
Then a sacrifice
Of lesser meat
A calculated retreat
Leaving his name
With no blame
By courtesy
Of the circus