Abandoned

The slate sky lies in cold repose.

Since Halloween the Tilt-A-Whirl

Has been covered with a stiff gray tarp

Faded by rain's pelting

and the sun's melting of frost,

All is silent except for the cawing

of circling crows

and the flapping of canvas

Against poles of gaudy candy colors.

Dismembered with their chairs

Removed and strewn about on the ground,

The skeletons of Ferris wheels

And bones of roller-coasters

Hang against the diffuse light of winter

Like the damned

Left too long upon the gallows.

December 1979 (87 words, 18 lines)