fairly, darkly

 

the county fair is done,

and the assembly, the machinery, the accoutrement

that makes a fair

trickles away from the Monterey fairgrounds

in a hesitant rivulet.

the last to go are a gaudy Ferris wheel,

a cotton candy trailer and, my favorites,

two kiddy rides, tidily disassembled

and huddled together on tiny trailers.

the wildly improbable figures of

lime green pigs with delicate wings

painted on their ample backs

and sheepishly grinning teddy bears

in beanie hats and overalls are queued

on the flatbeds

like anxious deportees

clinging together in the face

of the unknown.

they will disappear, I’m sure,

sometime during the weekend,

and on my Monday morning drive

the fairgrounds will be empty.

September readies itself

to wash over us in a warm rush,

and another year is gone.

 

 

 

Reviews

[Tate Morgan]

As someone who spent many a summer at the fair I can say it is a magic time as a youth .

[Pryde Foltz]

Love this piece. The excitement of the summer fair and the winsome when it leaves. Lovely prose quality to this one.

[shallimarRose]

We just finished our County fair last month. This is so spot on.. Its sad for me to see the fair arrive and leave because like summer clearance and Christmas they are reminders that the calender pages turn so fast now. I love that you talk about the dis-assembly and the cotton candy machine.. The Ferris wheel and kiddie rides.. Things that most likely stuck in your mind as a child. Nice read.. nostalgic a bit in its feel. shallimarRose

[Frieda P]

Does remind one that another season has passed, I remember taking my kids when they were younger, too too many seasons ago. It's not so darkly, it's only another season....the dark part is xmas is right around the corner! Nice one annie lee.

[Sami Khalil]

I like how you connect the word fair to fairly for that is clever. Also I do like all the details you shared about the fair and how it will be missed till next time. It is like those great fleeting moments...A splendid poem...:)

[annie lee]

Thank you.

[Sami Khalil]

You are welcome...:)