I Want Off

(my winning entry in the "Creepy Carnival" contest)




I want out of this circus.
Barnum & Bailey's now
    Cooger & Dark's.
Fun filled entertainment
twisted hellishly abhorent.
Youthful enthusiasm
turned aged realism.

Clowns; rolling and tumbling,
bright colored costumes,
big red noses, painted faces.

    Petty Thieves!
distracting antics; picking pockets,
sheep's clothing, growing noses,
sinister grins.

Colorful balloons; rainbows on twine,
elated spirits rising high.
children hold on tight.

    Shattered!
tethered strings hanging limp,
color-drained pieces litter the ground,
hanging heads, innocence weeps.

Animals; cuddly and exotic
performing tricks, rewarded treats,
laughter and applause.

    Ferral Creatures!
frightening predators, teeth and claws
waiting in shadows
for unsuspecting victims.

Smells wafting in the air;
fried foods, buttered popcorn,
roasting peanuts overlying
hay, sawdust, animal dung.

    Cesspool!
rotten and fetid, stagnant hot air,
poisons, decomposing bodies,
dried blood, decaying food... waste.

Background music; a calliope plays,
black and white keys, silver pipes,
a bouncy little ditty mixed with
screams of delight.

    Ponderous Dirge!
rusted and dented, bent pipes spout sour notes,
anguish and agony, groans of sadness...
destitution... desperation.

The ring leader; under the Big Top tent,
black top hat, red coat tails,
he guides our attention,
three rings, many shows.

    Pupper Master!
in the House of Horrors pulling the strings,
enslaving the masses from on high,
His Holy Throne - center ring!
Through deceit and illusion
we become part of His show.

LET ME OFF THIS RIDE!!!