One More Go 'Round

One More Go 'Round



The Ferris Wheel knew many people,
so wise and old it had so many tales to tell.
The days it lived were long and exciting,
each one new and wonderous in it's own way.

The buckets were rounded and an awning kept the sky in check.
Each secured, so safe and so sound, though with enough encouragement
a seat could rock in just the wind, rock with kicking legs,
but the seat would never fall from a broken limb.

Each bench housed a person who had a story to tell,
and it was often told as the wheel went 'round.
Some whispered so softly into their hands or their knees,
while others shared with the world by means of their scream.

In a single day the Ferris Wheel heard so many stories
but there were a few that it liked to share.
The tale of the business man who had no time for fun,
reunited with his youth by means of an amusement ride.

The new lovers who sought sanctuary from prying eyes,
holding hands, hopes, and sharing fears for the first time.
Against the sky, against all odds, a kiss was shared
so secret and special while hidden away by the Ferris Wheel.

A child sat frozen in his seat, an ice cream cone dripped.
A mother felt the breeze against her face, a daughter giggled.
An elderly couply restrained by their bodies found liberation,
as the Ferris Wheel could make them fly.

Days, weeks, months went by and the Ferris Wheel hosted so many.
One day came when the Ferris Wheel knew sadness.
Climbing into one seat was a heart broken boy,
soul tattered beyond repair.

While Ferris most often restored what was lost,
gave laughter in sadness,
rejuvenated and elicited laughter above all,
it was now lost in how to cheer the boy up.

He stared out the side as he went 'round,
he glared at the sky, as if it let him down.
Those dreams that he dreamt were gone like the clouds,
and then his sight turned down to the ground.

Gripping the bar his thoughts turned in a flash.
What if he was stuck up here?
Would anyone care?
What if he did not stay up so high, but rather, fell to the ground?

The steel of the bars was meant to protect.
Today the steel would fail dear Ferris, and the wheel would come to a stop.
Unbeknownst down below, the boy had found a way over the edge.
Perched upon the rail, he looked down.

The jungle of bars, the mist of metal,
despite the pain that he knew he would feel,
he glanced to the sky and basked in the sunset,
then pushed himself over and down he went.

The Ferris Wheel that stood so tall and so proud,
spinning and turning to bring smiles to faces,
strong and noble, now helpless and dismayed,
it couldn't stop its rotation soon enough.

Like a leaf through the sky the boy fell to the ground,
though without grace he hit every limb he encountered.
Shrieks and screams pierced the lazy haze of the day
and a fate for more than the boy would soon arrive.

Frightened and panicked and unable to help,
the wheel kept on turning, kept on scaring those aboard.
Finally with a screech, an emergency halt,
old Ferris was stopped and stared in abhorrence.

Crystal blue eyes that had been shimmering with tears
were now closed forever as he'd fallen too hard.
Battered, bruised, the crowd was confused,
and all the blame fell on the wheel.

Unsafe and unworthy of giving delight,
everyone important was called to the park.
Flashing lights, tears, grieving and mourning,
all for the boy but none for poor Ferris.

Despite knowing the truth and being unable to help,
the wheel was determined so faulty.
The park lost its business because of one sad little boy,
and poor Ferris has stood still ever since.

The vendors all packed up and the workers were gone,
each piece of equipment removed.
The only thing that remained any longer,
was Ferris because it had run out of use.

So guilty for not saving the boy in its seat,
so upset that it was no longer able to bring joy,
the Wheel stands as tall but not quite as proud,
not until one fateful day.

Long after the crowds cleared out and were gone,
while the sun began to set once more.
There was the sound of a seat being occupied,
and old Ferris longed to move.

There was no need at this point though it knew,
because the only customer was already gone.
Still the seat swayed in the warm summer sun,
and the spirit of the amusement park soared.

While there was no one there to start up the ride,
there was a soul that found its way home.
All around the seats, one after another,
Ferris found the boy climbing around.

Soft sniffles were heard as he climbed up high,
and he took a seat at the very top once more.
The whispers came but it could not hear what was said,
eventually all died out.

While one life was lost on that dreadful summer eve,
he'd come back to give his apologies.
And now, though Ferris stood so tall and so still,
each night the boy rode 'round the wheel.