The Midway

The Midway Boss: The Gaffer and the Gaffer's Mark
eye the merry go round warily.
There has been no apparent end
to a sudden, maniacal spin
that began about an hour or so
ago.

The magician has been trying to intervene
but quite a scene
has begun to erupt through
the Midway.
It's spinning so children can't get away.
Maybe Madame Ugly can stop it with her face.

Midway Boss: The lion looks restless in his cage!
A man walks on coals while another swallows fire!

Midway Boss: I made the Four Legged Lady freeze
mid fan kick while the clown played tricks.

The Half Lady cries.
So do the children
as the merry go round spins
then stops in a lurch, as if surprised.

Barker: Step right up! Step right up!
See one who was once a beautiful girl
and is now the ugliest in the world!
She’s gruesome! She’s grisly! She’ll terrify!
She’ll make you want to tear out your eyes!