The hum of the motors that run the rides,
watching cars on tracks going up and down.
Squeals and screams from all those children that ride,
scrambler, octopus, and merry-go-round.
From the excitement of the tilt-a-whirl,
to the view from atop the Ferris wheel.
Stealing kisses from your favorite girl,
how wonderful the county fair did feel.
There were carnies barking out to the crowd,
telling us all about their games of chance.
Spend a dollar to win a ten-cent bear,
was all part of the county fair’s romance.
Toss a ball at a milk can pyramid,
trying to knock them over if you can.
If you can manage to do it just right,
then you might win your girl a paper fan.
Popcorn, cotton candy, and funnel cakes,
things that a fairgoer can’t live without.
Live country music at the beer garden,
that’s where all the older folks would hang out.
Seems there was a contest for just about,
everything that is possible to judge.
People hoping for red, or blue ribbons,
on their pigs or cows or jellies or fudge.
Cherry blossom dropping pink snow on a summer day
beer garden gossip, and aw.some light ales
An English summer day served with ice and a slice
Your in paradise on such a sunny day
Kids playing on the swings and swishing down slides
their laughter mixing with Katrina and the waves
Your walking on sunshine this may day
Picnics in parkland, dogs being walked on a lead
sat on park bench eating ice cream
and waiting for rain !
They say there is a rose garden that blooms inside us now and again.
I remember how your breath was so sweet I wanted to swallow it
Whole – gobbling up your gasping wind – to drown my screaming
Passion, ignited by your soft molasses coated tongue, with the scent of rose
Blossoming inside me, where my blood rushed your love home – yes!
Later I thought how strange it was, that it could last for so long, with me,
Still breathing after you had left – for three days – I was exhaling your fumes!
But, that memory was not distressing, no! Mildly hallucinogenic; it was swirling
There in my blood, like the alcohol that washes away your scent – sometimes –
Life is like searching a beer garden for a bottle of aphrodisiac potion you’ve lost.
What’s more troubling is that all the other flowers continue to bloom.
just the beer garden
the only garden I knew
finding my dad there
SUMMER NIGHT IN THE NAIROBI BEER GARDEN
goats crop blooms
tall herders nonchalant
nip an ale
sun drops low
crickets are counting drinks
last call squeak
I sit in the beer garden
Not because I wanted a drink
Or because it was a nice day
But because I wanted to see her
I didn’t know her name
I just knew her as the cute red head
The girl with the open smiling face
And the full bountiful lips
Jade green eyes, and of course the red hair
I’m really rather sad
To come to the same ghastly pub,
To drink luke warm beer each day
Just for a glimpse of an angel
My doctor advised me to
Take regular exercise
Eat more fruit
And get plenty of fresh air
So I have taken his advice
I walk to the pub
I have a slice of lemon with my G&T
And I drink in the beer garden