Carnival Memories.

Photo by Devon Rogers on Unsplash

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Today’s poem is inspired by a prompt from Bradley Ramsey’s The Halls of Pandemonium writing challenge. The prompt itself is written by Verdant Butterfly. Please enjoy.

Carnival Memories.

Laughter used to fill
The grounds of this old carnival –
A place for fun and belonging
During the heights of summer
Basking on the backs of those
Working to make it happen.

Back when the ferris wheel
Brought them high into the sky,
To where you could see just
How vast the valley was.

It was when food was plentiful,
As were the gimmicks for treats,
Creating smiles aloof, desperately
Craving fried pickles and oreos.

Once thriving on togetherness,
Now replaced by abandoned rides
And signs reading “Stay out,”
A jester stands alone, reminiscing
Over jokes he’d crack and skits
That would make even the shyest
Kid’s frown waver momentarily.

Would anything ever bring
Him such joy again?

Hazel Allen, 2026.