Lighthearted melodies tinkled through the air. The old centrepiece of the amusement park was as always, situated beside the refreshments stand. It was standard amusement park fare- hot dogs, popcorn, cotton candy. Little boys and girls pestered their parents for a ride on the carousel. The queues were no longer like they were before the "Speed Demon" was built. But the little children always came back, longing for another round in the little world of happiness.
Ace was the 7th horse on the outside row of the roundabout. Of course, one could never tell where the 7th row was, since the roundabout moved about in circles. But since Ace was 6 rows behind the horse with a number 1 proudly painted on its side, he was assumed to be on the 7th row.
Ace loved his job on the 7th row. He was never really at the same position. When the turnstiles turned, eager little children clambered onto the various horses of the roundabout, Ace included. When the music played, he pranced up and down, he twisted left and right, but not so much as to scare the little boy or girl riding on his bright blue wooden back. Ace always took extra care of his “passengers”. Ace loved to see the little children on his back waving to the sea of smiling faces beyond the turnstiles. Beyond the turnstiles, was a world Ace longed to see and explore.
The little boy wanted to ride on the bright blue horse. He pestered his mother to let him have a ride on the carousel. The other kids are all riding on it, he reasoned. His mother finally relented. He grinned from ear to ear as he went through the turnstiles and clambered onto the back of the bright blue horse. The music began to play…
When the music started, the boy was filled with delight and wonderment. This was the best time he had in his short 5 years. He went up and down, just a little left and right, around and around. He waved to his mother each time he passed her…
Ace was filled with happiness. He was happy because the little boy on his back was happy. He carried the boy up and down, just a little left and right, around and around. When the boy’s mother came into view, Ace leapt as high as he could. And as in previous times, it was just low enough not to let him look over the turnstiles. Ace tried anyway, just in case he succeeded one day.
Ace did not have wings, but the little boy was flying when he rode on Ace’s bright blue back. Ace pranced round and round and round to the happy music, all the cares in the world forgotten.
The music slows down, softens, stops…
The boy reluctantly climbs off the bright blue back. He turns around and waves goodbye at Ace. That is the outside world to Ace. He wonders if there are many little children like the boy beyond the turnstile. The little boy holds his mothers hand. Together, they make their away from the carousel.
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"as a kid i grew up thinking, why the horses all kept moving.
moving without rhyme nor reason, stops and go's at every season."
The Start;
not any colt is spared from spearing,
crucified by cruel means.
it's mane; painted gold with fury,
and it's saddle; saddened dreams.
It Moves;
the lifeless body trudges boldly on,
to reach it's final grazing meadow now.
hooves lift heavily to Pegasi in the skies,
an enchantment cursed for and ever shall it prowl.
what fills the royal carousel ?
what makes the horses move ?
a gentle laughter from a child,
without the guilt to disapprove.
It Stops;
At Last-
not any colt is spared from spearing,
crucified by cruel means.
it's mane; painted gold with fury,
and it's saddle; saddened dreams.
not any child is spared from it,
the passing of time in years.
the untainted golden melody,
is but a roundabout of tears.
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