Carnival Ride

We've all been there.

A silent self-centered smile

“I am alive! I am full, a whole bowl

                of popcorn consumed �" who wouldn’t?”

It’s as if I stepped on a carnival ride �"

round, round with a knotted stomach

While teenagers shout with hilarity

Reluctant & acceded to Ben’s request �"

“Go Opa. It’s OK, it won’t hurt!”

Little did that 11 year old surmise as I

I belted myself in, while static glimmer

The rowdy color crowd about

The ride started slowly, the centrifugal action

On my psyche.  Hell rather be on the moon

Moves at speed & fury

“it seems that head and blood under skull

Were separate, a temporary dizzy affect

Spin �" spin

“won’t �" it �" ever �" stop!”

The contraption slowed to a stop

Groggily I tramped out

No deal for the eleven year old

But at 16 going on 80 it’s self-punishment

At its best