Get Your Premium Membership

Carnival Edge Epiphany

Written: July 30, 2025, for contest Sponsored by: Robert James Liguori ************ The carnival dazzles— mirific mosaics of midway magic woven with whimsical calls from barkers who strut boldly on boards slick with popcorn oil and neon promises. I, the aficionado of the absurd, immerse myself in spectacle masquerading as celebration, a Falstaffian extravaganza, a sockdolager of strobe-lit sensation, where circus rages as horology gone amok— clockwork chaos camouflaged as joy. Here, even dyspnea dances: lungs tight from laughter, feet blistered on the boards where the locals jive to tunes sung in xenoglossia tones— languages lost or learned in the jamboree of jest. We picnic beneath paper moons and eat Easter-colored candy as if Lent were long forgotten— in this nefarious fair, Time adumbrates indulgence. I stumble past scantling booths where prizes lean akin to broken teeth and prayers cast unanswered in the apiary buzz of sugar-rushed view. One iconoclast offers nepenthe in a cup with carbonation and broken fortunes— And in that moment, an epiphany unfolds as a palimpsest, laughter scrawled over ancient pain, glee grafted onto grief. There is no paucity of pain here, only its parody— a meritorious mimicry for those who can bear the weight and yet select the lighter path. A temporary guest of the night, I own nothing, but borrow every flicker of joy— every flick of flame from the festival's fire, every tune from the gala laughter. Even illeism fades in festal light, where I am not the observer, but the observed, not just the poet, but the poem itself, drawn toward this lodestone of longing. And at last, beneath Ferris wheel stars, I whisper into the abyss— a cognate cry to the cosmos _The feast is fleeting but oh, how glorious the festival finished?

Copyright © | Year Posted 2025




Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Date: 7/30/2025 1:25:00 PM
This almost seemed like a dose of something. I really like "There is no paucity of pain here, only its parody— a meritorious mimicry for those who can bear the weight and yet select the lighter path."
Login to Reply
Date: 7/29/2025 5:26:00 PM
Sp, parody of pain is an interesting concept. I think the satirists among us understand that we can take pleasure looking at just about anything with a bent to describe what it is. Hard to imagine how much more glorious shows of force we will get to write about. I suspect no scarcity. BTW, you have a way with words! Smiles!!
Login to Reply
Date: 7/29/2025 4:08:00 PM
your words and lines are uniquely captivating and softly intense. Your poem left me breathless. I especially liked: A temporary guest of the night, I own nothing, but borrow every flicker of joy— I appreciate the wisdom of this concept. When I think about it, I truly own nothing. Profound indeed. Faving.
Login to Reply

Book: Radiant Verses: A Journey Through Inspiring Poetry