Breadcrumb Trail

I stepped out onto the midway. I was looking for the pirate

ship and 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 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. 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 and,

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 as the children run by. And picks his teeth. Spinning

'Round, my head begins to turn. 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 winds.

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.

And 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.