the carnival

in the summer
the bright green and red
lights, the blue tints
and yellow bulbs
go on like a cloud
of translucent and colorful
vapor past the woods
and houses to the empty
lot. the carnival is
in town. you can hear
the music, confetti
in your ears, as the metal
wheels squeak and moan
in motion and the smell
of cotton candy lifts
it's sugary scent
all the way to you.
the ferris wheel rises tall
and swings gently
with children and new
lovers whose hands
still hold the torn
ticket stubs. how the world
evolves you don't
know, but this doesn't
change, rarely does
a summer pass and
become fall without
the carnival blooming
in the hot desert of a small
town night.