I stepped out onto the midway. I was looking for the pirate 
ship. I saw this small, old tent at one end. It was blue, 
and had white lights hanging all around it. I decided to check 
out the tent. It seemed like I could hear music coming from inside. 
As I walked toward it, I passed a crowd of people at the sideshow. 
I couldn’t figure out why they would want to wait in line. I 
pulled back the drape thing on the tent. There was a crystal 
ball at the table and behind it a girl wearing a hat. She 
smiled and asked me if I wanted my fortune read. I said, “Okay,” 
and sat down. Then I thought about it for a minute, and asked her 
if she would rather go on the roller coaster instead. 

Creeping up into the sky. Stopping, at the top then, 
starting down. The girl grabbed my hand, I clutched it 
tight. I said good-bye to the ground. 

Far below, a soiled man. A bucket of torn tickets at his side. 
He watches the children run by. And picks his teeth.

Spinning round, my head begins to churn. I shouted, and searched the sky 
for a friend. I heard the fortune teller, screaming back at me. 
We stuck out our hands and met the wind. 

The girl falters as she steps down from the platform. She 
clutches her stomach, and begins to heave. The ticket-taker 
smiles, and the last car is ready. Who told you that you 
could leave? 

The sun was setting by the time we left. We walked across 
the deserted lot, alone. We were tired, but we managed to smile. 
At the gate I said goodnight to the fortune teller. The 
carnival sign threw colored shadows on her face, but I could 
tell she was blushing.