Night Rider

Upon the haunted, magic air A sound is heard in the dark somewhere; A creak of wood, as gears are churned, A carousel begins to turn. A siren song that calls a child To find these horses running wild, Whose painted mouths say: Join our game! He leaps the one he wants to tame. The laughing boy holds tight the pole And hugs the wooden horse of old. Watching the dark town flashing by He takes the forbidden midnight ride. The painted eyes begin to gleam And shadows flicker close like dreams. Front hooves rise in a sudden rear As the boy now clings to flesh and fear. He turns and looks for one last time As the leave the carousel behind. The maddened horse in nightmare flight Rides the boy into the night. They leap the earth in an endless rush And hopes of childhood turn to dust. The dark night turns to seek the dawn But against the stars the boy is gone.