Gold shines; illuminated under the setting sun. Artificial lights flicker, giving birth to the night. Terrifying smiles giving life to inanimate faces. Wide, wild eyes staring. Creatures dancing; spiraling towards infinity. Children ensnared by dream fulfillment. Petite fingers clutching the faces of tiny monsters.

Fifteen is too old to ride a merry-go-round, too old for this twirling coffee-painted pony to take me back to last June, to the machine that spins dizzying circles, as I stand at the head of my friend’s hospital bed, holding her swollen, peeling hand. The whoosh of the machine echoes around the Lysol-clean room,… More “Too Old” by Patricia Haggard (2009)

We were sun-baked and freckled in our halter tops and shorts. Salty from swimming the day away. Full of energy after corn-on-the cob and BLT’s. Eager to ride the merry-go-round at Sound View. Joking about who would catch the unreachable golden ring. Giddy as Grandpa bought us glazed doughnuts for Sunday morning. The sky-blue-pink evening… More “Summer Long Gone” by Linda Drake (2009)

I play on the merry-go-round as the fire on the round ball sets. It gleams and glows pink and red. It looks like a pretty rainbow. Thunder, my horse, is attached to the glowing Merry-go-Round. Through the clouds I see lots of diamonds. They are so sparkly and clear. The moon begins to rise as… More “Merry Go Round” by MaryLynn Haggard (2009)

This carnival rests in a field of flowers. Hear the innocent laughter Her song echoes through you. She waves her hand, Palms dive in and out of air currents. She is a fairy granting wishes. Her crimson hair falls on young shoulders Unkempt after a day of enjoyment. Slow horses painted with gay colours Dance… More “The Child of Shalott” by Katie Scibelli (2009)

She is a cupcake of a woman, poured into the ruffled sheath of her bathing suit. What she wears is a bathing suit, it’s too polka dot cute to be swimsuit. Bathing suits are for Bathing Beauties, the antiquated glamour of pudgy poise. Her hair is pinned into fat black curls, whips of glossy chocolate… More “Cupcake Girl” by Sierra Ryan (2009)