Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE CARROUSEL' by MEL [PSEUD.]

First Line: CLANG! THE QUIVERING SIGNAL BELL
Last Line: THAT THE FINAL GOLD PROVE BRASS

Clang! the quivering signal bell
Speeds the circling carrousel.
Happy childhood's on a lark,
Whirling round the smiling park.
Wheezy old orchestrion
Calls for feats equestrian,
Lunge and lurch and greedy clutch;
Rings are snatched with every touch.
Round and round they sweep the course,
Spurring on each wooden horse.
Madly waging mimic strife,
Keenly real as grown-up life.
Clang! a curly-headed king
Plucks the magic gilded ring.

Dear, unknowing, lucky child!
May your laugh soar ever-wild.
May they use you half so well
On life's mirthless carrousel.
May you never lose your grip
Fondly jostling horsemanship.
May it never come to pass
That the final gold prove brass.



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