At the Carnival

The billboard proclaimed the welcome news Rides, games, and fun for all! Children gleefully running past Clutching tickets and prizes in tiny hands Or munching on corndogs and cotton candy From the eager vendors along the midway Tenders hawk their games of chance Daring the men to win toys for the ladies Step on up and try your luck Ring the bell, pop the balloons We take it all in while strolling by Hands intertwined as we join the line The talk is small yet time still flies Til the operator seats us on our ride Off we go, so slowly at first Til up to speed, now whirling, twirling The wind gently whips your auburn locks Into a flowing comet's tail of reddish brown The widening grin that graces your lips Is surpassed only by dancing smiles in hazel eyes For those fleeting moment the carnival fades away No bells, no whistles, and no roadies' chants There is only you, there across from me Your unearthly beauty outshining the carnival lights Our ride slows down and jerks to a halt Jarring back into action my breath and my heart.