Last Night of the County Fair

Last Night of the County Fair No, there is no time for closed eyes on even the roller-coaster's wild ride. Too soon, the carnival will be gone, all strains of the music having died, and gone, the candy-apple faces, taking the bright pennants and streamers on to a hundred other places, banishing all the beautiful dreamers. How the long-awaited day has flown! The hours are quarters spent at games few win; too late, you see you should have known. Wiser eyes now see the sky less blue. This night must close, like all other nights. The wizards behind the tall curtain have no power but magic-show lights. The hour is late; the end is certain. Though the sun and cotton candy are warm still, and sweet, swift music whirls along. The great wheel moves toward evening's star, the sleep-warm car, and the last .. . fading ... song . .. —Michael D. Adkins 83 ...