Short Barkers Poems

who is winning?
me?
my bike?
the ferris wheel?
the loud carnival barkers?
or the boats?
the boy turned to see
amazed it was him
It might have been his first win...

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Clamor of the midway delights our ears
Calliopes from the old merry-go-round,
Shouts of the barkers, games one hears
Clamor of the midway delights our ears,
Squeals of children, roller coaster fears
Combine to make up that special sound,
Calliopes from the old merry-go-round
Clamor of the midway delights our ears.

Written August 22, 2022...

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Guard dogs try to sleep in a deaf corner.
Smaller barkers do what they do best
from under bed or table.

Large bugs in the sky
keep blinking and teasing.
They jig and jag
and only the dogs
and a few elderly cats
can hear them.

Whirligigs descend only to disappear,
spinning wings bite the air.

K9 units are advised
to use extreme caution,
it's almost as if
we know that they know....

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I SIT IN FRONT 
OF THE TV SCREEN
WATCHING NOTHINGNESS 
THAT APPEARS TO BE  REAL

TO 
APPEAL
TO 
THE VIEWER’S VISCERAL FEEL

BUT IN REALITY
NO MORE REAL 
THAN THE BARKERS SPIEL 
OR THE SALESMAN'S DEAL

WATCH OUT 
ON THE WORLD’S TV SCREEN 
FOR THE SALESMAN ‘S STEAL 
AND THEIR PROMISE TO HEAL

TIGHTEN REAL TIGHT  YOUR RESOLVE 
AND BE READY TO CLOSE OFF
THE FOLLOW UP 
ATTEMPT TO BE HAD...

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barkers hawk
shifting paradigms
change is good
and I've got a pocket full
drop a token
in the slot
and get
all the advice
any clown
made of nuts and bolts
can offer
a calliope jangles
the unsaid
a cacophony of slights
left with a sickly slick
(candy apple on a stick)
swirl and whirl
gone crazy
just another ride
just another chance
at the desperation 
and acceptance 
of the soul carnival...

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