Valsa George Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

August-8- 2025

 Carnival  Nights Poetry Contest

Sponsor-  Robert  James Ligouri

~ Placed Seventh~

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A Night Out at the Carnival

Under the inky façade of the night sky,
With reluctant steps, I joined the stream of men
Flowing to the place of the great celebration.

A huge crowd was already there in the temple premises.
Its vicinity was bursting with colour and flashing lights. 
The young and the old, clad in festal attire,
With fire in their hearts and festive sheen in their eyes
Thronged, not driven by piety, but mostly to enjoy the fanfare.

Festoons decorated the trees that lined the compound.
Colourful lamps were blinking everywhere
Sacred bells kept chiming intermittent
At the auspicious hour, as devotional songs rent the air,
The chief deity was brought out of the shrine
And was placed on the caparisoned elephant,
Accompanied by pulsating percussion ensemble.
The devotees cheered witnessing the majestic entourage.

Within them, the fervid spring of joy swelled.
Colourful umbrellas were unfurled, 
Drawing synchronized patterns in the air.

An army of hawkers had already set up shops.
Each made it a time to earn some bucks,
Selling knick-knacks and goodies- from ice creams
To popcorn and colourful balloons, to tempt children
The young ones ran around licking cotton candies.
Some enjoyed blowing up soap bubbles,
With iridescent orbs landing softly on their hair and dress. 

Under the glare and noise, the heat and sweat,
Amid the tumultuous beat of trumpets,
And the rhythmic sounding of cymbals,
The crowd swayed in psychedelic lassitude.

I was just a mute witness to the whole hullabaloo.
Amid the faceless crowd, I stood aloof, so aloof,
With an abysmal loneliness gnawing me from inside.
I had hoped the carnival would help me forget the past
And drown my scalding pain, but sad memories,
Followed me close to my heels like a mangy mongrel.

Deep down, how I wished I was part of the revelry!

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Robert James Liguori August 16, 2025 at 5:40 PM Great poem; your words dance. Valsa George August 17, 2025 at 2:19 AM Hi dear Robert,thank you so much for the placement given and the comment.

Krishnanand Guptar August 14, 2025 at 11:16 AM Congratulations Valsa on your win in this contest with a superb poem meticulously painting the scene of the festival. The contrast of the joyous festival with your own sad memories highlights the state of your own being. Hope that you have overcome them now after a number of years.

Bill Baker August 13, 2025 at 5:31 PM Man, those other six must have been amazing poems. This with engaging, with great imagery and enticing story telling. Your ending brought tears to my eyes, for the many that walk on the outskirts of the celebrations. Blessings my dear friend. Hugs, Bill

Subimal Sinha-Roy August 12, 2025 at 11:18 PM Congratulations. A great fun story nicely narrated.

Sotto Poet August 9, 2025 at 5:09 AM Your poem vividly depicts the disparity between the joyous carnival atmosphere and the solitary poet, dear Valsa. The metaphors and intensity are superb. In addition to experiencing the agony at the conclusion, it was as if I were truly at the carnival itself. Great job capturing the lively atmosphere of the carnival and the serene solitude beneath. Good luck with the contest.

Rowena Velasco August 8, 2025 at 11:52 PM Loved how you captured the carnival’s energy and the quiet loneliness beneath it. Very relatable and vivid!

sara Etgen-Baker August 8, 2025 at 4:48 PM The dichotomy and contrast between the carnival revelry and the loneliness is so real in your poem....outstanding imagery and energy to your poem...I felt like I was actually at the carnival and also feeling the pain at the end. Your poetic gift is a joy to read. hugs, Sara

Paula Goldsmith August 8, 2025 at 1:12 PM I enjoyed reading your "A Night Out at the Carnival" write/story. As a young child I went a few times. The popcorn was in colorful bags. I loved getting the pink or blue ones. "Good Luck" Have a wonderful/blessed day writing away..................

Jay Narain August 8, 2025 at 10:09 AM Poem effectively blends lush carnival imagery with a quiet, aching loneliness. The speaker’s emotional distance from the festive crowd underscores a universal, bittersweet truth: even in moments bursting with communal joy, grief can persist, unassuaged. The carnival becomes less of an escape and more of a mirror to the speaker’s internal landscape.

Joseph P. DiMino August 8, 2025 at 8:44 AM "An army of hawkers had already set up shops. Each made it a time to earn some bucks," -- Apparently, same the world over. "Deep down, how I wished I was part of the revelry!" -- Different, so alone. I know, we will write Poetry! Wonderful write! Love it!