Carousels and clown cars and grotesque side shows
Haunting each step gimply in the fashion of a mangled hunchback
School-girl days chase the memories of yesterday
A winter of discontent leaving bruised and scraped up aortas in its path
Sigh no more they say
Under a haze of dreams not yet achieved
Christmas tree fragrances fill up the nose
Reminding the believer of joy filled journals
Of brisk walks in late December
Of watches and carpet whispers and tear filled goodbyes
Wanting the conclusion to come quickly
Feeling afraid to let go
Closures anticipated but never made
Wireless crutches sparking miscommunication
The carousel goes around again
Lacquered show horses move up and down
Leaving the rider in a wake of inconsistency
Unable to try the ferris wheel instead
Where is the innocence of eight years old
Running through crab grass
Constructing cardboard malls
Move on, conclude, finish
Words easily written
Actions never achieved
The carnival yearns for a shut down
But the carousel operator can’t stop
Yearning to feel he is worth something and needed
The exhaused rider sympathizes and says,
Let me ride again
