 Terrors of the Carnival
by sir_serene
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I found myself there once, in error,
in that land of forgotten meaning;
Lost amid those lurking terrors,
I felt certain I was dreaming.
Through that carnival I slowly stepped,
overcome by dreadful feelings;
Carefully, between the tents I crept
when their music started beaming.
The calliopes sang haunting tunes,
through the mist that drifted, teeming;
Beneath a sky of faded moons,
their painted smiles were coldly gleaming.
Shadows danced on canvas walls,
their twisted forms were ever leaning,
and from afar came muffled calls,
like distant voices softly keening.
Then darkness birthed their chilling faces,
and I could tell that they were scheming,
to throw at me what must be cases
of custard pies that they’d been creaming.
Rhythmically, they inched closer,
as if drawn to my heavy breathing;
I felt a crack in my composure,
incredulous to what I was seeing.
Those clockwork Chias in clown masks
were creeping, steadily convening,
closer still, whilst they basked,
as I backed away from their streaming.
My heart pounded- pounded like a drum
from their eyes, which all were gleaming,
when all at once my legs did run
and through the darkness, I was screaming.
At last I reached the fairgrounds’ gate,
its promise felt almost redeeming;
I slipped beyond before too late,
and later woke, convinced I'd been dreaming.
But I am reminded of their haunting guise,
by every Chia I saw beaming.
And every time I see some pies,
I am wrought with feelings so demeaning.
Though years have passed since that grim night,
and reason tells me I was dreaming,
I still avoid the fairgrounds' lights
whenever distant calliopes are screaming.
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