Posters – depicting your attraction
were long ago hollered and rolled up
into human curiosity of loquacity.
Sights and signs remain crystal bright.
The fortune teller sees to that.

 

How I strip teased round ribboned pole
winding that prize in disguise was the yow
I knew. Then not chosen to be May queen,
I helter skeltered to hate, heal, redeem
tortured by silence amongst the crowd.

 

You, nag drawn and I despatched
to merry carousel. Riding up and down
on horses for courses with names saddled
- pain, shame, anger, love and sympathy
gilded with lilies and forget-me- nots.

 

Waiting and wondering, you stay and play
hoopla on crooked cross of wedlock.
Meanwhile, I rest content in tent of salubrity.
Tasting, thriving, on every last supper offered,
delectable dishes wanting to be served cold.

 

Occasionally we ring bell of number withheld.
Letting off engine steam, reminding us
it’s you and me. Punch and Judy of frilled
fabled connection, red and white stripes -
delightful delusion, dangerous deflection.

 

Your wilful tuppence in a tear bottle
now ladylike half crowned princess,
a nelipot chancing the side stalls
However you twist card of fate, decision made.
I will not fall shy of the hardest coconut.

 

So – before we pack up this freak show
Who’s the hook and who’s the duck?
Paddling hopeful swingboat of truce.
Popguns loaded, one of us will run out of luck.
Holler loud. Roll up. Now that’s the way to do it.

 

 © Katypoetess 2014