Carnival
Free passes cat-called the asses
of us. Pervy carnies snuck some in
the fastest rides: Matterhorn, Blue
Streak, The Zipper, and The Hell
Hole. It sprouted our hair. It curled
our lips. It unfastened all the boys
in strange, deep voices. Girls squealed
around dangerous curves. Curiosities
of pulsing, of youth, of the delicious ache
from eating too many sweets. Secret glands
held hands and hormones swaggered
the midway like cool kids in new jeans.
