The Fair

• Arabella Anderson, Grade 11
• Poetry
• 2009

A big coloured tent a merry go round
The children come running,
they all know that sound
bright painted faces lit by the moon
The music, it tinkles, the show will start soon
The laughter is cover it hides every clue
This place is no place for a child like you

Hidden in shadows the dark creatures lurk
The jingle of bells and a dangerous smirk
Stay in the light your fear is their cue
Yes this place is no place for a child like you.

Filled with excitement, it’s all just a game
They are drawing him closer they call out his name
His hand slips from yours he is gone in a glance
The beautiful lights have him under a trance

He wonders alone, there is so much to see
The music, the people, he giggles with glee

Then a hand from the shadows, he is plucked from the crowd
He kicks and he screams but the music is loud.
They’ll be tears tomorrow when everyone learns
But for now they are singing the ferries wheel turns

We know that for you, this ending is grim
But we told you
We warned you
This place is no place for a child like him