Life in the Time of COVID-19, Part 17
Rod Carlos Rodriguez , whose poem is featured today, is the founder of the Sun Poet’s Society, San Antonio’s longest running weekly open-mic poetry reading. He is the author of three poetry collections, including his most recent, “Native Instincts” and the poetry editor of Ocotillo Review published by Kallisto Gaia Press.
The adjoining image requires no explanation. Like Rod’s poem, the abandoned former Joyland Amusement Park in Wichita, Kansas, captures the sadness of lost joy, something that we all seem to experience these days in big and small ways.
No More Tickets
By Rod Carlos Rodriguez
At the state fair:
a dirty, torn stuffed bear…
a broken Ferris wheel leans
sideways, slowly decays.
Shattered, scattered fun-house mirrors
glitter as the stars near
rusted carny trailers.
Ring-toss bottles
remain piled haphazardly
against the pie-eating contest
stand and the pin wheel ride.
Dented, pitted by storms
and age, the carousel
lays quiet, still.
And old, state fair flyers
blow over everything…never rest.
Last ticket sold
years ago.
Rod,
Felicidades! This is such a good albeit sad poem. Reminds me so much of our present COVID reality. Thank you.
Thank you! I’m glad you liked it. Means a lot!
Great imagery- even though I’ve never been a fan of the State Fair. Your last 2 lines call to mind my regrets at having not attended as many concerts and theatrical performances in recent years as I went to when I was younger. I take comfort in having seen 2 big shows- Twenty-one Pilots and Hamilton in 2019- plus a beyond outstanding presentation of Little Foxes (which in not an exactly actor-proof piece) by Classic Theatre of SA. I worry that the joy and energy felt when we’re part of a live, collective audience who have achieved escape velocity from real life and its concerns through art- plus the energy transmitted to performers onstage may be gone forever.
Thank you. I’m glad you liked it. You mentioned the energy of the crowd and it is electrifying, especially at state fairs, carnivals, and the circus. I miss these places where fun, just for its own sake, is celebrated on a grand scale. I have hope, perhaps in the near future, we might get it back. Thanks again.
Love this!!!!!