Written about a walk that I had taken through an empty carnival midway after midnight. I work with a traveling carnival throughout the weekday evenings and weekends. It's great to be back...it has opened a flood gate to my writing :o)

Alone again with the monsters.
I hear them breathing this still night
as their bodies cast skeletal shadows
that stretch and bend beyond tired sight.

The stars are out...first time...finally
and I paused in beasts' silent keep
finding constellations above my head
wondering what Fate, this time, shall reap.

Walking through this world as I'd done before
never afraid of the monsters in their gates.
I touch their cold, steel bodies reminiscing
as Time continues...continues...never waits.

Silence roaring where there once was song.
Dew clinging for life ever so delicately.
What is the reason for Life turning about
only to return this elusive world to me?

For all, a reason...each purpose, its time
I remember as I walk slowly alone.
It's the middle of the night with sleeping monsters
and in this silenced carnival, I feel most at home.

İMay 20, 2006 Lori S. Maynard