They live a merry-go-round life
maniacal calliope music
spinning circles, senses blurred
chasing what could lie ahead.
Blue horse, her mount
golden mane rich in gilt
cold cylindrical pole
clutched in lust.
Two steeds behind
eyes wild, hair disheveled
desperately out of synch
he up-downs as she down-ups.
Desire fuels the chase
bolted to spinning floor
moving unmoved
money, sex, fame
forever around the fluid bend.
I’m hosting dVerse today, the virtual bar for poets, asking folks to think about amusement parks, fairgrounds, carnival barkers. Write a poem that somehow uses an image from that scene – or captures a memory one has from going to such a place. Bar opens at 3PM BOSTON time, in the midst of Boston’s blizzard today! Come share a poem of your creation or just imbibe some words from poets around the world.
lillian the home poet 
Such a Dark-Beautiful tragedy. 😎
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Glad you enjoyed!
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Nice description of going around in circles.
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Ah yes … for some, the rat race that never ends.
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Perhaps an allegory for my first (practice) marriage–but being out of synch with so much in life lacks levity. Health issues keep me bitch-slapped & out of sorts these days. Old age is just not for sissies.
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Ah Glenn…..our Aunt Flo who was a Commander in the Navy during WWI and worked with Admiral Nimitz, always used to say in her later days, “growing old is not for sissies..” Smiling in memory of her here. Glad you’ve found your love….first time practice can be tough.
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What a lyrical depiction of the merry-go-round. I loved it!
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Thank you! 🙂
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Oh, I like this. The merry-go-round as metaphor, the out of synch ups and downs, the impossibility of ever catching up.
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Thanks Sarah, glad you enjoyed! 🙂
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Will never look at the merry-go-round, in the same way, after reading your poem, Lillian, my poor innocent eyes.
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oooh….so sorry…..
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Great take on such an innocent seeming ride.
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Glad you enjoyed, Carol.
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Alas, a chase that never will end… no gap can ever be closed… there is something very real that might apply to real life
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Exactly — forever chasing the gold ring and never satisfied with what is….merry-go-round metaphor.
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Great metaphor embraced here in a delightfully succinct and evocative poem. Excellent!
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Thank you!
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great word association with trials of life and the colours that entice but dull the ride
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We are far too often caught up in the rat race of a fast paced life, always thinking the grass is greener on the other side…and in this case, riding that merry-go-round round and round, never getting ahead.
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i can relate to that especially living and working in a city, it really gets so monotonous even with the city’s bright lights and active life.
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Special one here, Lillian. Merry-go-round was one ride that no matter the circumstances always brought joy. The calliope music seals it!
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Glad you enjoyed! 🙂
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What a very poignant description of that cyclical race so may get stuck in.
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oh yes….far too many in the rat race…many of them in their own choosing.
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You sure you’re not describing my life??? LOL
This resonates with me… the merry-go-round of working for the weekend’s relaxation/debauchery/etc.
I especially liked this part:
Two steeds behind
eyes wild, hair disheveled
desperately out of synch
he up-downs as she down-ups.
Desire fuels the chase
bolted to spinning floor
moving unmoved
money, sex, fame
forever around the fluid bend.
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Glad you enjoyed. I think many many folks find themselves in a rat race…and for too many, the end is elusive.
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Ah that round and round and round…always going in circles and getting nowhere. Excellent metaphoric poem.
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Thank you! So appreciate your kind words here 🙂
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Gasp! I did not see this coming. Wow! Love the metaphor 🎈
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Glad you enjoyed — and liked the twist. Crazy rat race indeed.
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Yay! Mr. Linky is finally showing up for me, so I can make my rounds. 🙂 I love the sound bump in this: “maniacal calliope music” especially.
Such a fun prompt!
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Hurrah for Mr. Linky! (who ever decided on that name????) Glad you enjoyed the prompt and the post. 🙂
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I finally got here – the morning after! The on-line chat was very productive but also exhausting so I went to bed! But I’m back to read now.
I love the sounds and action in this poem, Lillian, with the ‘maniacal calliope music’,and spinning. I like the way you’ve played with the ‘cold cylindrical pole / clutched in lust’ and that wonderful line ‘he up-downs as she down-ups’.
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Glad you enjoyed the prompt. I’ve really had fun reading folks’ posts. Lots of memories revealed. I did go a different way with the prompt….although I was really tempted to write about Riverview! Maybe for an OLN. 🙂 Glad you’re enjoying your online course — and yes, those chats can be exhausting!
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Fabulous prompt Lillian. Thank You. This is so good. The metaphor is perfect ( could be the sun chasing the moon ll over again) That endless chase to nowhere in particular.
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Glad you enjoyed the prompt and my post. Your post has inspired me to, sometime in the future, do an oral reading of my post and put it on the blog to accompany the words. Have you ever been to a Poetry Slam? I’ve never been but have often thought about going just to hear it.
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Never been to one…have heard live poetry from single performers…slam has to be on the bucket list though.
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Perfect metaphor choice, Lillian. And by the way, I loved to ride on merry-go-rounds as a kid.
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Glad you enjoyed. I have a Twiglet ready for you…probably won’t get posting til Friday. Rushing water — good one
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I’ll look forward to reading it, Lillian.
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Loved your lines “cold cylindrical pole, clutched in lust.” That describes life to me. Things are often out of sync like your merry-go-round horses. Love it!
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So glad you enjoyed, Bekkie. Many thanks for your comment here.
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