Until Closing Time

We’ve moved into June, and I need a poetry style that starts with the letter F. I’ve decided to write Free verse Poems. Writing Free Verse Poems for an entire month frightens me because they lack meter, rhythm, and form. Sometimes a person needs these guidelines to keep them honest. What makes a poem a poem if there is no way to define it as a poem? The only way to start the party is to run my finger over the keys and see what pops up on the computer screen. I will call this poem Until Closing Time.

First, let’s explore the characteristics of Free Verse Poetry and Until Closing Time

1. Candace and flow
2. The built on the language of the poet
3. Non-uniform lines and stanzas
4. Experience with space
5. Prosaic Qualities
6. Concise Imagery

It appears free verse isn’t as rudderless as I first thought. My poetry writing challenge in June could get exciting. It’s time to read Until Closing Time.

Until Closing Time

Welcome to my Carnival
Step right up the price is right
The ticket seller says it’s all free
Hop on the painted ponies 
On the carousel ride
 They travel in a circle,
And never get anywhere.
Take the red Ferris Wheel
And travel to the stars 
Hanging in the sky
Put one in your pocket to feel it burn.
The elephants are slow but smart.
The monkeys tell bad jokes.
And the donkeys always lie,
But it’s the lions I fear the most.
Never laugh at the clowns or acrobats
They will spit in your eye.
We got kiddie rides, rides that twirl,
Rides that will make your toes curl.
Take a shot with the loaded gun
It’s all n the name of fun.
Try to hit the target
Toss the ring onto the bottle
Take home a fuzzy Teddy Bear
It doesn’t matter that the game is rigged,
Sometimes even losers win.
Taste the cotton candy
Popcorn with yellow salty butter
That tastes like sun exploding in  your mouth.
Have a hotdog on the house
Welcome to the carnival
You can stay until closing time

Who is Molly Shea?

Molly Shea is an accomplished fictional short story writer from Indiana who writes short stories and novels about a fictional town called Tecumseh.  To read more of her short stories and adventures, click here.

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