A little girl's dreams
Of days to come
Carried on horses
That circle round and round
Have taken flight
To be no more
And she, in her gown
Must pull the curtain
On her tomorrow's
That the secretive eyes
Shall never see
Wrap them up in blood red cloth
For no one to know
That this little girl
She, too
Once had a dream
Epic Myst©

Tell me girl what do you hide
why do you look so sad
what is that haunting look in your eyes
are you tearful of the dreams you have.

It's because of your wish
that I have appeared
to steer you into happiness
and ride away your fears.

Can you hear the bright stars sing
of carousels in the sky
for every fear that night brings
becomes another chance to ride.
dawg_isblue©

The curtain of night
falls gently down,
there you stand
in an evening gown.

Playing dress-up
in mommy's best,
or growing up
much too fast?

Ballroom dancing
spinning round and round,
your little feet planted,
firmly on the ground.

No time have you
to play with toys,
or spend flirting shyly
with the boys.

Do you have
even one true friend,
someone to stand by you
until the end?

The joyous music
of a carousel,
tell me dear,
do you know it well?

Come with me now
for just one day,
learn to be a child
for this I pray.

Enjoy this time
laugh merrily as we ride,
for just this moment,
your youth need not hide.

Carousel horses
spinning round and round,
magical music
lifts you off the ground.

Money and power
come at a high cost,
when the price you pay,
is a childhood lost.
Kindred Spirit©

"Mother do come quick !!, Can you see it in the stars?
Look and see the horse way off - oh so very far......
Above the city lights, see mom??"

"Oh why can't you see what I can see? It's easier
to say, Yes dear, and indeed dismiss the you that's me."

You speak of wondrous things, as you reminisce of old.
why can't you hold our time together, rings of precious gold?

You cater to my wants and needs as best a mom can do, but why
can't you give your heart to me and see your precious Sue?

I weep, I cry, I grab the drapes searching for deep blue eyes,
but your funny smile and bourbon breath tell me it's all lies.

Now 30 years have passed and mom, I call to you once more,
"See the precious steed mom? come to take you to heavens door?"

You still cannot answer me, you have left me one last time,
I will never find your truth now - you have left you Hell Sublime.
Synapse©

Looking out the windows of your mind
Seeing at times what you want to see
At times not so pleasant dreams
Wishes sometimes fulfilled for thee
Wondering down each path
Exploring and learning what is new
Reaching for tomorrow's life
Remains in what is today
Perhaps it was yesterday
New challenges awaits thee
You face them without fear
A whole new life awaits you
Explore, learn, and be free
Star_Fire©

As I am offered to go on a Journey
I see the years that have flown away
To look back with no regrets
To look forward with no fears
I know that what I seek is all within reach
To ride with the wind, to feel the clouds touch

You say that I love the dice
I have lost my shirt there
Though I'm frozen and exposed
inside I'm on fire
Verses then and witty songs
come at my desire

Life is easier than you think
all you have to do is enjoy the journey
do without the indispensable
and bear the intolerable

I do not hesitate
I go now on the mystic journey
to seek my fate
I take along all from the past
we ride together always
Life Warrior©

She stood there
in the splendid
grace of beauty
on the balcony
of infinity
pulling back
the red velvet curtain
of humanity
to behold
in her purity
the carousel
that turns
throughout
the universe
rising
as it spins
from one galaxy
falling
into another
in sync
with the music
from the heavens
and illuminated
by the starry eyes
of angels.
Night Scribe©

With eyes wide open
and gleeful cry
a child's joy
cannot be contained

Their approach to life
is one of play..
To enjoy the ride
and love the games

Predisposed to love and affection
A child must be loved
Before they  grow..
With the ability to show the same

Memory serves me right
emotions and humor
my savior
fit for my survival

From misplaced affection
by the ones who claimed
to love me
inappropriately so

Visions in dreams
of the carousel ride
happy, content
and gleeful

Stolen innocence revealed
by the “boogie man”
it seems
overwhelming my senses

Laughter repressed
the child became
stoic and somber
Weeping elicits compassion

All grown up now
and daring to move
from behind the shadows
of memory

Forgiving myself
for actions against
loving myself
unconditionally
Reina©

Alone, weary and frightened.
Others around cannot reach through,
Cannot scale the wall of difference.
This is a curse.

To see the colors of others' souls,
And yet to not be seen.
Invisible, like a ghost.
Lost behind the barrier of difference.

Apart from the world of substance.
Lost, wandering, searching for something,
And knowing not what.
Dreams that torment with cruel hope.

Children on a carousel, laughing with glee.
Reminders of the isolation and separation.
Apart, on the fringes, seen yet unseen,
Here, yet not here.

Always apart, always different, alone.
Can anyone see a soul bleed?
Can anyone feel a shadow?
Will anyone try?

Tears shed where no one can see.
Pretense of reality, of significance,
Foolish dreams of love and care.
Like a shout into a gale, an exercise in futility.
Anjaleck©

Kids know more than we sometimes see
They see the problems with you and me
They look at things with those dark brown eyes
And at night... go to bed and cry

As the carousel moves up and down
Smiles on their faces change to frowns
They look at us from behind the curtain
Their future to them is most uncertain

Though the rides in their life are colored bright
They know deep inside, things ain't right
Their parents love now hard to find
Hasn't shown in a long, long time

Once their hearts beat as one
Now no time to have some fun
Their lives now filled with stress
Not taking the time.. for a gentle caress

Children see their pain inside
No where to go... no where to hide
No place to retreat... or just escape
Their parents need to go out on a date

Venture out to rekindle the fire
Reignite the flames of desire
Go back and remember times before
Learn once again ... to love and adore
mwm©

The youth of innocence
Peers through drawn curtains
Suddenly caught, clutching
A grasp of the folds
Longing to be....
In another time and space
Away from a cold reality
High above the real world
She dreams of bright lights
Merriment and rounded songs
Turning back to room she sees
All magic disappearing
And the galloping white stallion
Leaving the same way it came.
gigi041©

Peeking through fogged memories
a child at play ... alone.
Hiding in the draperies
of life so long ago.

The child I was so proud and free
still lingers in my soul.
She fights each day to stay afloat
For stories yet untold.

Sweet innocence ... exuberant
... wish upon a star.
Oh look!  A pretty carousel!
Hop on let's ride afar!

And so I drift away to sleep
a smile upon my face.
God's loving hand embraces me
and fills my heart with grace.
NeecyD©

In my dreams a child revealed
A wondrous sight to me.
A carousel up in the sky:
It filled my heart with glee.
And as the horses passed me by
'Twas as if the world stood still
And peace and joy prevailed therein:
A panacea for all ills.
The background lit with myriad stars
Seemed to emanate a glow
That shone across eternity
And blessed the Earth below.
And in this dream a magic ball,
In sheet of velvet lay.
The little girl had placed it there,
This vision to relay.
As I stood on that balcony
And watched this awesome sight,
And gazed upon the angel girl,
I wished with all my might.
That when the dream was over,
And night had turned to day,
And when the world awoke again,
This peace and joy would stay.
Peter Jones©

with the stars as their guide
the dreams and wishes
of knights and ladies on white horses
ride the stars and galaxies
searching always searching
they search for their soul mates
their life's partners
wishing
hoping
seeking for the truth and happiness
they so desperately crave
round and round in life they go
the brass ring of fulfillment
always just out of reach it seems
never questioning her job
the guardian of wishes
opens and closes the veil
the veil guards the wishes of the stars
for every time one is made she
lets the wish into await fulfillment
'tis a job of joy and sorrow
but never questioning she obeys
for her hope and joy are when
once in a while someone actually
grabs the brass ring of life
and the enlightenment of LOVE
bursts open the heart
and the LOVE is free to give and shine........
Lady Valor©

The Carousel of Life has it's ups and downs we know
And through these ups and downs we must continue to grow.

As a child we see bright colors abound
Exciting new things just waiting to be found.

As a teen the exploration gets much deeper and deeper
And the hills we have to climb suddenly become much steeper.

The time of first love is a sweet time of life
No fear or worries around us, no time for tears and strife.

You're married now, as most will do
Finding a whole other life with hurdles anew.
This up on the carousel is a very happy time
With lots of love and learning and living on a dime.

The first child's birth brings an up all it's own
And the work really begin as your house becomes a home.

As the children grow up and become less dependent
You have more time to yourself, now not a needed attendant.
It's the prime of your life, that's what you are told
Then why is it with each passing day you feel yourself growing old.

With nothing left in common, you grow farther and farther apart
You talk AT each other now and part with a broken heart.

Old and alone with all your mistakes
You get down on your knees and you beg him to take...
"Me home with you Lord" to all the bright happy colors
I'm ready to leave the ups and downs of this world
 to all of the others.
Short Stuff©

I stand behind the curtain
A child within my mind
As I dream of joy and happiness
And love for me to find

Afraid to venture out onto
The balcony to reach
That which seems unattainable
To my heart, it does beseech

Childish fears reflected
By a golden spheric ball
Rolls past the carousel of my mind
And eased by my heart's call

And thru the dreamy night of stars
A hand reached out to me
To guide me thru the tears and fears
To lead me where I need to be

No hiding behind a curtain
From fears that say I must
No more lonely, darkened nights
Only love, and faith, and trust
emmarie©

As the artist begins to paint
Thoughts of love begin to taint
Remembering the warm glow at night
When quietly she bids goodnight

Dreaming of this mysterious place
That we all will someday face
She enters into that glistening world
Giving the velvet curtain one last swirl

Her vision appeared before mine eyes
As kneeling quickly, I watched them cry.
Her dreams of a beauty found in the stars
'Twas but the sneeds grace dancing afar

Sweet mystical sounds with each rhythmic gait
She felt somehow, that time wouldn't wait
Pushing aside this world full of gold
She desires to go where reverie unfolds

Seeing beyond the artists fretful mind
Much of this destiny begins to unwind
Longing for hopes lingered yet untold
Precious memories we'll always hold

With imaginings paint forming still slow
Mystery of hope begins to willfully grow
Miracles of freedom from these royal claims
Begin a carousel never being the same.
LoveStar©

what is keeping me secluded
prohibiting me
from jumping into my dreams
I appear to the casual eye
to be calm
prim
 proper
baited serenity
I dreamt of a white knight
that would release me
from my personal struggle
carry me away with him
galloping through life
unbridled
as a palomino mare
perhaps an Arabian filly
with long flowing mane
flowing in the breeze
as we gallop into eternity
to make me his queen
his mate
reflections of childhood
omnipresent
 painted in memory
not with brushstrokes
but with smiles
laughter and tears
what I'd dreamt of
to what has become
gazing out of the window
of yesterday
memories in a whirl
not all to different
from the smiling horses
of the carousel
as each cycle unfurled
a quarter of a century
since I gave my solemn vow
to love
honor
and obey
was I aware of the implications
all of this meant
at such a tender age
at my prince's side
daddy giving his princess
a new life
making her a
prince's bride
the home
became their castle
filled with laughter and more smiles
brought upon
from the mouth of babes
many of god creatures
graced our humble of home
a collection of electronic toys
balconies
daydreams
visions
hopes
anticipation
of fulfillment
cadence the years
all seeming to go in circles
to that irritating childhood song
trying to decipher
the rights
from wrongs
reaching for the brass ring
with hopes
to catch that one glimpse
  that brings a smile to my face
an everlasting grin.
MiNN1©

The young princess looks pleadingly
Towards her mother standing before her
Wanting so much for her mother
To look beyond the curtain and see
The dreams of childhood
For they are magical and free
Filled with anything that could possibly be
The value of dreams must be understood
For without them what would we have left
Of our desires that make our dreams
Holding more than it may seem
To take them away is a terrible theft
Robbing a child of hope and aspirations
And as this child looks longingly
Towards the one who can set her free
She hopes to meet her expectations
Please allow her dreams to flourish
For it is her self and her soul that they nourish
Shadow Whysper©

Our minds, corrupt with fantasy, desires of life's mirth,
Captured, kept, upon the stage, we've come to know as Earth;
A prop, is all, that gazers see, inconspicuous at best,
Tossed into, the play, of dreams, unwittingly, a guest;
The spotlights not upon us;  the one that shines love's truth,
It casts it's glow on others, more divine and not, uncouth;
Their parts, their roles,  they satisfy;  what ticket holders want,
Happiness, and ever-after; if not received, they taunt;
No matter what's behind the curtain, even if, a carousel of glee,
If one's theme, is only anguish, the seated, rise and flee;
And so they leave, quite hastily, judgment  loudly lipped,
Uncaring of, all our efforts, to save a heart, that's ripped...
Zeb©

At five years old a beauty queen,
The pageants did begin.
A grown-up in a child's world
'Cuz Mommy likes to win.

She waits her turn to flaunt the stage,
Ruby lips and shadowed eyes.
Her rhinestone studded evening gown
Will match the crowning prize.

Behind the curtain lurks a girl
Who dreams a child's dream
Of fairy tales and carousels
With ponies colored cream.

When they named her "Little Miss",
She bowed and vaguely smiled.
But in her heart she made a wish,
She'd rather be a child.
KathyK©

As I close my eyes,
As the day ends,
I open the dream world,
To my wondrous strives.

A curtain in my mind,
Questions the power of heaven.
Opening my hearts intentions.
I see something that means the world,
most to me.

Not cupcakes,
Nor swing sets.
Just the merry-go-round,
A chance to lift my spirit,
far above the stars.

The music starts,
As my heart beats to every beat.
It takes my breath away,
Without the ground below my feet.

A balcony appears,
with a golden ball on the side.
I jump off to take a look see,
And then the night takes the sky.

And then the dream ends when the phone rings.
A golden ball at my side.
Wondering what the dream meant.
Holding the memories deep inside.
rnf120©

When the curtain parted
helpless eyes revealed
two lovers entwined
on a horse drawn magical
wheel...
The moment astounded my
rush of surprise
for there you were
with another
before my startled eyes...
Such a fool was I
blind and naive..
momentarily stunned
to feel so deceived..
A woman I am with
childlike ways
spoiled and petulant
used to getting my way...
the crushed velvet curtain
gripped tightly in hand
as I watched
without comment..
no will to understand..
I parted that curtain
self centered and vain..
your attention I expected
yet could not attain
and there you were
your eyes not on me
enraptured with another
how could this possibly be?
Stunned to view this
twist of life's fate
assuming it was I
you'd longed to partake
When I parted that curtain
a mere moment in time
maturity claimed victory
and two lovers claimed mine.
Kristin©

What does the poet have in mind
When he takes up his pen to verse?
Perhaps he hopes thus to spellbind
Readers with ideas perverse,
Creating visions that beguile,
In hopes of stimulating thought,
Opposing all matters puerile;
To seek the truth which must be sought.

Therefore put Reason on the throne
And set before him every view
With evidence that must be shown
To test whether that view be true.
But if some myth is then proposed,
Evidence will expose the fake.
So if untruth is presupposed,
No threat to sanity will make.

But sinister is the myth that
Clothes itself in superstitious
Poppycock of the Theocrat,
And fairy tales quite pernicious.
Your ideal reader, poet, is
He who understands the danger
And claims a mind that is all his;
He, to whom the truth's no stranger.

A worthy fight must be hard-fought;
To seek the truth which must be sought.
Cadwalader©

Standing in the shadows of my youth
searching through my memory for the truth
recalling the dream of long ago
to the circus would they let me go

Clowns that cartwheel in the sawdust ring
somersaulting flyers on the wing
clowns and flyers do not suit my needs
how I long to ride the snow white steeds

prancing, dancing, stallions by the pair
saddled, bridled, waiting for me there
how they gallop in time with the tune
Father comes, I'll have the answer soon

Mother says she's sorry, not today
Father did not get home with his pay
said he needed one more quart of gin
She would go out dancing once again

Waiting in my faded cotton dress
who would come home first, I could not guess
fighting back the tears that try to start
hold my ragged doll against my heart

Pounding heart, ( ( ( ( now drop the memory
stepping back into reality
smooth my dress of royal blue and gold
think about my Love, so strong, so bold

Rescued at the age of seventeen
carried me away to be his queen
love him more than simple words can tell
built for me the gorgeous carousel

Carousel of love for my delight
every stallion carved in arctic white
all our children ride a snowy steed
nourished by his love, my every need
Sir Sun©

As a little girl I dreamed of
giant castles made of stone,
a princess adorned in royalty,
a perfect world all my own.

Gallant knights on white horses
riding in to save the day,
scooping up the beautiful princess
and swiftly taking her away.

When I grew into a woman
the dreams never went away,
but reality became a part
of games I could no longer play.

My dreams of the handsome knight
became ones of an honest heart,
and those of magical castles,
turned to a happy home set apart.

I look back at the girl now,
the breaking of her smile so slow,
sadness in her eyes so deep,
I wonder did she really know...
blushin©

Golden orb, thou art my prize
to call such magic before my eyes.
Trapped within these walls of stone...
sometimes sad and so alone.
When world reveals no truth to me,
I call on thee to set me free.
Releasing me from all my cares,
your power takes me anywhere.
Through starry nights we travel free
to venture out, to beauty see.
We ride the carousel of dreams
to escape reality's languished screams.
If only for a little while...
my heart once more can find a smile.
Linda2001©

[A ballad for my long-dead Mama
to the tune of Bob Seger's "Turn The Page"]

When you drew your blood-red curtains
To reveal the cosmic scenes
To this man child that was in you
Another slave to Mammon's genes
You hoped that I would love you
And repair your broken dreams

You spoke to me of ponies
That were transformed into steeds
And of stars hung in the heavens
That were God's own spirit seeds
Yet you never did discover
How to satisfy your needs

Here we are
Side by side again
Here we are
Laughing at Hell
Here we go
Riding The Ride again
Here we go
Carousel

You tried so hard to bury
All the demons and the lies
From your tortured childhood memories
But they screamed out through your eyes
As you taught me all the precepts
Of a Seeker's Love which never dies

Then a day came when I needed to
Explore my own sought Self
So I left you as a son will do
An old trophy on a shelf
Thinking of you rarely
And deaf as you cried out for help

Here we are
Side by side again
Here we are
Laughing at Hell
Here we go
Riding The Ride again
Here we go
Carousel

I want you to believe me
As I open up my heart
All the women that I've loved in life
Have only been a part
Of that dream that you passed on to me
When you gave my life it's start

In their eyes I've seen your beauty
And the precious little girl
That once sat upon a pony
In an innocent child's world
Before your mind was damaged
Caught and chained in Evil's whirl

Here we are
Side by side again
Here we are
Laughing at Hell
Here we go
Riding The Ride again
Here we go
Carousel
Weaver©

After came out of the red curtains
and spoke her riddle.
The little girl had demons
that surrounded the middle.
She spoke
"In the mirror of malice, I see my sins.
This space, this place where life descends"
No one could guess as they rushed their whispers.
A dark wish would have been granted
to the smartest listener.
Cluewall©

A walled veil of discontent she held within her mind
Fearful that no happiness would she ever again find
So to the forefront all happy things did she choose to keep
While placing darker things to the back, piled in an ugly heap
Every day, she would play, in her warm and happy place
Never letting any of her fears or tears show upon her face
At first days passed by and then years also came and went
And still her time at rest or play in the happy place was spent
Then one day, while at play, she suffered a shocking start
For there appeared, a seam it seems, as the curtains did part
Then the light of day on walls of gray came rushing to her sight
And she found herself face to face with the reality of her plight
Though she tried, she failed and cried, for she could not arise
Confined to a bed, from foot to head, was a frightening surprise
Bear1Mage©
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