don't need a ticket
for this carnival ride
with the circus big top
heaving and jolting inside
sleep's carnival midway
on screeching calliope
three ring circus sideshow
plays my nightmare lullaby
the show starts the moment
I first rest my brain
no sooner sleeping then
caged on circus animal train
swirling tilt-a-whirl
jerking and twerking
my wits out of order
till nothing's working
wish it took money
for Ferris wheel seat
So I can get off
and find my own feet
the rides that begin
must come to an end
my looping mind twister
just rounds another bend
foot stuck on the track
and here comes the train
following the leader
round carousel again
plaid skirt stuck fast
in spinning bar stool
gladiator winding me
up to play the fool
no bars at circuses?
easy for you to claim
keeping dreams weird
is my middle name
Most dream so bad they
threatened my sanity
if I told they'd lock me
up and throw away the key
maybe it's the zipper
a bolt's snapped at last
never knowing where I am
or just what has me fast
trapped by one arm
dragged on the ground
oh God here we go
another Mary-go-round
see the little dolly dance
and vomit on the floor
has she had enough, folks
or shall we cry for more?
shout out Himalaya!
if you wanna go fast
all the faces melting
as the mob whizzes past
stop the Gatling guns
of shooting gallery
I want to get out now
please cease firing on me
Now I'm playing cranes
losing and never won
fed them all my coin
till I have not a one
who said this was fun
why am in this place?
mirrors only leading to
more images of my face
tiny dancer on pointe
for the girl who owns
spinning on tippy toes
while crumbling her bones
ballerina coffined
in the jewelry box
latched by the child
with keys to the locks
clown in patched up skirt
so sweetly he does urge
behind Spartacus smile
we don't see his scrouge
This started as a nature poem, sigh.
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