The carousel plays “Ring

of Fire” on its old, cymbal-

clapping tom-tom–

metal, mechanical, musical.

The first time I descended

into black fire on route

76, listening

to John Cash–real

and unreal indistinguishable.

The spine knows truth

and speaks, despite red,

blue, yellow, green

lights and spinning horses

carved by Philadelphia

Toboggan of Germantown.

Amusement for the lost mind.         

Image via Wikipedia