The Forced Carnival

[Image source: AI-generated with DALL·E]

Some of the most remarkable experiences in life aren't necessarily 'fun'. They're deep as poetry, moving as the ocean waves and layered with intermixing emotions. 

With this piece I wanted to highlight how joy shouldn't be compulsive, or how 'fun' isn't 'fun' if fun needs to be chased.

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You must assemble near the Ferris wheel, 

and we’ll play a game of deception

We’ll sprint after ‘fun’ on broken glass,

and catch only its reflection

We must ride the Ferris wheel at sunset,

and we’ll smile no matter how tired we’ve been

We’ll smile for the strangers, the cameras, the aesthetic,

we’ll smile because our ‘fun’ needs to be seen

Dizzy as we may be, we’ll keep the wheel turning,

unease building as we reach the top

But if the social script demands we ride,

What’s a little nausea to make us stop?

We’ll ascend with rehearsed glee,

screams buckled in for more

Convinced the view will be different,

though we’ve seen it all before

As the wheel of the evening slows,

the ride operator will turn for his sum

With grins outstretched in mock delight,

we’ll pay for having some ‘fun’

When the wheels will halt altogether,

and the night exhales it's final cheer

We'll call it joy, we'll call it life,

Mistaking motion for growth, year after year