The Carnival

When summer months, came around,
Often we'd see a carnival, come to town.
Little boys couldn't go on the "big kid rides",
so we settled for the "House of Mirrors",
or slippery slide.

Remember the smell, when you approached the midway, on a Friday evening?
Was a mix of grease, from the Farris wheel, cotton candy, and popcorn seasonings.

Just outside, the midway lights, we're lots of creepy shadows.
Where two days tbefore, it was just grassy meadows.
You could hear, unknown voices, whispering, and women giggle,
Someone would fart, out of a camper, a little dog, would wiggle.

Remember the "Tilt a Whirl", "The Spyder"?
They would spin you, til you til thought you were dead.
Then a Gypsy lady, would lure you, into a tent,
you might see a fat lady, a geek, or have your fortune read.

For my money, it was the midgets, or guys on stilts,
selling popcorn and peanuts, and roses that wilt.
Later in the evening, when the lines would clear,
Always, the Farris wheel, we'd be standing near.
Gazing up into the neon lights, werent those just the best, of Saturday nights?

Fingers sticky with cotton candy and coke,
pockets empty, we were going home, broke.
But happy as the days were long,
Those were just the best of times.

Reviews

[AYVID N]

A very nostalgic poem that took me back to my own times when I was little. The circuses and exhibitions and fetes used to be so exciting. I loved all the things you mentioned here and most of all, I loved the child-like enthusiasm you captured here. Those days are bygone yet those spirits are us. I enjoyed this poem absolutely!

[D. Mansfield]

Dear DIVYA, I am so glad you liked the poem, I remember all of those things so clearly, but ask me what day it is, not so good, lol life is good, hope you are thriving

[W. Barrett Munn]

This is a fine walk through memory but it leaves me wondering where did I go or what conclusion did you reach. In other words I walked through the fair but didn’t get anywhere.

Winston

[D. Mansfield]

Your right, it originally was much longer but I thought it better in shorter form, now rereading it after your comments I agree with you. Thank you for giving me honest feedback, I appreciate it

[W. Barrett Munn]

I couldn’t go to an MFA program so I appreciate honest feedback but not everyone does. I only pass along what I have heard or read from those who are editors or known poets.

Winston

[M]

Never seen such carnivals myself but your poem of reminiscing showed me all the things one could expect to see. Rides and plentiful tasty foods must have been a dream for a kid growing up.

[D. Mansfield]

They were a lot of fun, but they were also placed to get hustled d out of your money in a any of a dozen different ways.

[FGFRANKLIN]

I experienced much of this just yesterday. The smell of funnel cakes, popcorn and cotton candy are still fresh in my memory. Only ours was a town Halloween gathering with vendors and games and candy for the kids. Still, it was very carnivalesque with costumes and masks, almost like a masquerade. I enjoyed your brief jaunt into yesteryear and reflections so alive with fond remembrances.

[D. Mansfield]

Thank you so much for reading and commenting, I greatly appreciate! Most of what I remember is very not socially acceptable these days, I wonder if people think it not real, the fat ladies and geeks, other "freak" show exhibits"

[FGFRANKLIN]

Saying "socially acceptable" these days is like saying, "common sense". It's an oxymoron in the making.

[D. Mansfield]

I pretty much beat my own drum anyway. "Ain't doing it for practice anymore"

[FGFRANKLIN]

I understand completely. I went off at the doctor's office because they asked me a litany of questions pertaining to gender identity, gender at birth, preferred gender and so on. I told them they were stupid. I'm a man, always been a man except when I was still a boy but the gender hasn't changed. They said, it's the federal government regulations. I said, See? I KNEW someone stupid was in charge of this absurdity.

[D. Mansfield]

Amen, I agree completely, what genius figured out that the federal government or any for That matter should be meddling in those kind of things

[Seriana]

LOL, what fun memories. Your direct approach on this made me laugh. Too real! Loved it!

[D. Mansfield]

I had a lot of fun writing it, but for some reason it took a month, lol So glad you enjoyed it