AFTERNOON DELIGHT

“Come back to me my sweet.
Take a break from the heat.
An afternoon in a cool retreat.
We could make our own special heat.”
The wood door rattles and creaks open wide.
I hesitate before I walk inside.
The small room is as dark as night.
I begin to tremble with fright.
Maybe I should leave this place.
The door slams shut in my face.
I hear the voice in the air
Telling me, “what fair is fair.”
I intruded on this secret room,
​And so I won’t be leaving too soon.

THE CARNIVAL

The carnival calls to me.

Sounds of laughter

float to me in the distance.

I want to be there.

I want to be a child again

for one afternoon.

Go back in time when

life was enjoyed to its fullest.

I will dip my toes in the sand

and run to the carnival.

I will buy cotton candy and

eat it with sticky fingers.

I will ride the ferris wheel

until I am dizzy from the height.

Children are running to the rides.

I am one of them.

For this afternoon,

I am one of them.

THE LIGHTHOUSE

“Come back to me my sweet.

Take a break from the heat.

An afternoon in a cool retreat.

We could make our own special heat.”

The wood door rattles and creaks open wide.

I hesitate before I walk inside.

The small room is as dark as night.

I begin to tremble with fright.

Maybe I should leave this place.

The door slams shut in my face.

I hear the voice in the air

Telling me, “what fair is fair.”

I intruded on this secret room

And so I won’t be leaving too soon.