don't need no tickets
for these carnival rides
nor the circus big top
with the heaving insides
three rings of thrills
my own funfair midway
endless freakshow parade
greets my end of day
organ grinder monkey
on his hurdy-gurdy
croons nightmare lullaby
to the clown's calliope
show starts the moment
I close my eyes and brain
sleep finds me caged
on circus animal train
swirling tilt-a-whirl
Hurky, jerking, twerking
wits spun out of order
by the octopus lurking
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 mind loop-de-loop
just rounds another bend
foot stuck on the track
and here comes the train
following the leader
round the carousel again
tartan skirt stuck fast
in spinning bar stool
gladiator winding me
up to play the fool
maybe it's the zipper
a bolt's snapped at last
never knowing where I am
or just what has me fast
trapped by my bad arm
dragged along the ground
oh God here we go
on the 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
faces melt like cheese toast
in the mob whizzing past
stop the Gatling guns
of the shooting gallery
I want to get out now
no more firing on me
Now playing at 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 twirls
for the girl who owns
revolves upon toes
crumbling her bones
ballerina coffined
in the jewelry box
entombed by the child
with keys to the locks
clown in the torn skirt
and the Mr. Punch mask
contorting balloon dogs
is his happy task
with this Pied Piper
marionette frog march
down tunnel of love
to hell's marble arch
beckoning with candy floss
so sweetly he does urge
behind Spartacus smile
we don't see his scrouge
nightmares so violent
they threaten sanity
if I told they'd lock me
up and throw away the key
This started as a nature poem, sigh.
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