Constance La France Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

The Carnival

we Waited-
the summer    for the carnival to arrive-
all the rides
and all the side shows

the screams   far   and wide

and the carnival treats
running to get on the roller coaster
was that me there
yelling

that's when my world was wonderful

the ferris wheel
oh gosh we are high
far and wide
my friend leans over and I close my eyes

from ride to ride we rush
the music is blaring
and we
tilt
and whirl
    the smell 
       of candy-apples in the air

balloon man whistling for us
and the music is
blaring

come take a chance
carny men yell-

I went-
to the carnival    not long ago-
it seemed unchanged
same rides and same
 
sounds    far    and wide

nothing had changed at the carnival
but I had   I had grown up 
so no screaming
    no yelling any more
the excitement was gone
or 
  was it

from ride to ride I wandered
and kids ran past me
skipping
shouting

and the balloon man still whistled
and the carny man still called out

but I was quiet
a watcher
now

and lovers passed by arm in arm
holding huge
      teddy bears

____________________
October 19, 2017

Poetry/Free Verse/The Carnival
Copyright Protected, ID 17-9509-15-0
All Rights Reserved.

Submitted to the contest, 
Any poem won in a contest in November,
sponsor, Laura Loo

First Place, Judged December 4, 2017
___________________
Written for the contest, The Sound of the Past
Sponsor, Eve Roper

First Place, Judged November 4, 2017

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Mick Talbot December 6, 2017 at 6:30 AM Very evocative, took me back to the late 50's, Happy memories, thank you. Congratulations on your win! :-)

Susan Ashley December 4, 2017 at 7:02 PM Congratulations Broken Wings on your top placement in the contest with this expressive, lively and awesome write..

Eve Roper December 4, 2017 at 2:48 PM Congratulations, Broken Wings, this was a great write. Hugs Eve ~`*

Kim Rodrigues December 4, 2017 at 7:13 AM Love this, Constance! You made my mind drfit back with you! Congrats xx

Beautiful Scars December 4, 2017 at 5:19 AM Great poem sweet lady! thank you and congrats :)

Subimal Sinha-Roy December 4, 2017 at 2:43 AM Congratulations, Constance on your great win.

Sandra Haight November 6, 2017 at 4:19 PM Such bittersweet memories, Constance. I enjoyed the contrast of the enjoyment you presented between then and now...a participator and an observer. Congratulations on your First Place win. Hugs, Sandra

Line Gauthier November 5, 2017 at 9:48 AM Bursting with wonderful sounds. Congrats on your well deserved win.

Brian Davey November 5, 2017 at 8:10 AM Funny how things we did while younger are the same but not the same, I enjoyed your story and congrats

Gary Smith November 4, 2017 at 4:11 PM Excellent Broken Wings, congrats :)

John Gondolf November 4, 2017 at 12:33 PM Constance, congrats on your win. Well done. John

Eve Roper November 4, 2017 at 11:37 AM Broken Wings, Your third stanza placed me in the past when my sister took my middle son on the ferris wheel because I've always been afraid of height. My little daredevil (then about 5 now 46 ) tried looking over when they were high and she had a rough time trying to keep him sitted .. Thank you for the memories.. Congratulations on your win ! Hugs Eve ~`*

John Michaels October 23, 2017 at 1:23 PM Never been to a carnival (can't say I've seen them advertised here in the UK), so the images my brain conjures up is influenced by films and literature. Nicely-penned - good luck with the contest. Regards, John.

Scott Thirtyseven October 20, 2017 at 10:38 AM Great last image, I know the scene well.

Frederic Parker October 19, 2017 at 5:38 PM Nicely done Constance...I live a few miles from where most of the old-time carney's retired...it's a strange little town, as they die off the town is doing the same...good luck in the contest