Carnival

Under the silken tent

small white mice

rode little pink bikes

The ringmaster dressed in black

Tapped his staff against the trunk

of the pirouetting elephant named Ella

Who wore a blue tutu and danced like a ballerina

The boys that ran the rides

white tee shirts with rolled up sleeves

a pack of Luckies held inside

Always tanned, dirty shoes and jeans

yet somehow enticing

The Whip dizzying, stomach churning

I knew he spun me more than the others

I waited for him to undo the bar to let me out.

Thanks for the ride what’s your name?

Name’s Ray

I circled around the gates.