State Fair


The scent of grease and sweetness lingers here,
among Whack-the-Mole and Frog Bog's gaudy fare
repeating through the candied atmosphere.

I'm wary of the fat hog-keeper's leer
between the ducks and cows and well-groomed mares,
his gaze of greasy sweetness lingering near.

The tatooed Tilt-a-Whirl attendant's sneer
mocks the parents waiting unaware,
their children spun in candied atmosphere.

The southern sun's so high this time of year,
like a ferris wheel in bright October air,
its glare of grease and sweetness lingering here,

a maze of fried dough, corn dogs, gold fish, ice cream drenched in beer.
Red clay like powdered sugar dusts my hair
grown sticky in the candied atmosphere.

Distorted in the crazy house of mirrors,
I glimpse myself like out of some nightmare,
the kiss of grease and sweetness lingering near
this mutation of the candied atmosphere.      



Nina Riggs