a carnival ride, both thrilling and hideous

now cresting

the town out beyond 

twinkling in the lavender sky

before the inevitable plunge

the seat swinging wildly

sweat on the backs of my thighs

sending me slipping down 

to hang at the precipice 

certain I will fall 

and 

all the horrors on the ground

the litter, the small child puking cotton candy

the rats scrambling through the garbage 

the boyfriend berating his girl the whore 

who flirted with other boys,

the mother screaming for her sons

before the wheel jolts

sending me up back up into

the sweeter air 

the evening stars winking in their bowery station

bidding me

come closer look

come closer

look

you’re almost there