At the carnival it dawned on me — none of this will last,
For every life that’s flowered, another one has passed,
Down the alley, near the sideshows is where it hit me suddenly,
The limitations on every child who’s trying to be free.
So, I shook off my younger sisters, I forwent the crazy rides,
Something stirred inside me — a changing of the tides,
I realised I was fleeting, not always would I have next year,
Despite the limitations, could I embrace it all while here?
My awakening left me empty, how to forget about this surprise?
All around me I heard promises that “every child player wins a prize”,
It’s only fun — that’s fine — but for now I’ll hide my eyes,
I’ve realised — but why now? — that everyone meets with their demise.
My feet were tired and blistered — but worse: my zest was cut down in its prime,
The animal sheds were closed by a man who simply said, “It’s time.”
I guess I’m too old for the carnival, that I won’t deny,
But can’t I stay a little longer — there are still things I want to try.
Very well, I’ll go, admit this chapter’s said and done,
Dreaming in my bed, much older, is where I’ll relive all this fun,
But when I close my eyes, I sense mortality begin to creep,
Now that the carnival’s over, I both fear and pine for sleep.