the manic day,
began to slow
and, at last,
drifted
to a gentle lullaby rock –
like a carousel . . .
winding down.
winding down.
and I felt the way
I used to feel
when, as a child,
I was led away
from the carnival grounds –
to be tucked into bed
with Mother’s kiss:
snug and safe,
from the garish disconnect
and the discomforting
orphan void.
For small creatures such as we the vastness is
bearable only through love. –
Carl Sagan
note: the
prompt from Poetry Jam this week is Festivals (fairs, carnivals or fests)
and/or (this Sunday being Mother’s Day) Mothers.
photo:
Montmartre Carousel - W. Bourke
© 2014
Wendy Bourke
Wendy, I understand well the feeling of the carousel winding down. Sort of like, to me, a music box winding down as well. Slower, ever slower. It is nice to have frenetic activity in one's life for a while....but then again it feels even better when one is away from it all, snug and safe in a comfortable place.
ReplyDeleteGreat analogy in your poem, Wendy, from frantic activity and excitement to the comfort and coziness of one's home. I also like the wistful tone of your poem, Wendy.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mary and Gabriella. Even, as a child, I have always had a sense of uncomfortable detachment at carnivals. Now, country fairs - on the other hand - WONDERFUL!
ReplyDeletethe orphan void...having worked with foster kids and such that brings a very real feel to me...interesting on your feel of detachment from the carnivals....they always feel like another world to me....
ReplyDeletemanic day... sounds like my days lately with all the end-of-year stuff!
ReplyDeleteMood here well conveyed here. I felt there with that child.
ReplyDeletecarnival is good but mother's love is heavenly...love the spirit of the poem..so well penned Wendy :)
ReplyDeleteI really feel that touch of love and security with a mothers love.. Lovely words and such comfort.
ReplyDeleteI'm not much of a carnival fan either...crowds, noise, expensive games and rides, etc...I do like the colors and lights from a distance though, ha. I like the comfort, security and peace of a mother's kiss. Great contrast you brought for us in your poem!
ReplyDeleteCarousels were magical for me, and I became sad when the music stopped.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, a thoughtful, enjoyable read. I'm picturing little Wendy snug and safe in her bed.
Ah-h-h-h. Very sweet of you, Janet. (Though I don't know if I ever qualified as "little" Wendy, though - sixty some years in - gawd knows . . . I tried. Super smiles.
ReplyDeleteInteresting how many of us have the same impression of carnivals... Tawdry, sinister, unsafe, insecure. You capture this unquiet mood well, Wendy, and the last stanza resolves the poem nicely.
ReplyDelete