Street Corner Carnival

Text: Poem by Susan H. Bowker

The street corner carnival

comes to this place every year, displaces a parking lot

and an abandoned newsstand,

unpacks its banners and hardware, same here as anywhere.

Weary Carnie men mechanical as the rides, set up.

We smirk as we drive by,

“The darn thing never changes.”

A day or two goes by

And each time we pass,

our eyes do silent inventory.

By Saturday, we check it out

“For old time’s sake.”

Hours later, with cotton candy blue lips,

a teddy bear under our arms,

we leave,

nod our heads saying,

“The darn thing never changes.”

PERFORMANCE  SUGGESTIONS: A little whimsical piece that can go anywhere in a program. It can be an encore or contrast piece.

Everyday Pleasures      3:43

The Pines   4:18

Street Corner Carnival  2:00