Midway Two

In 2004 we strode,
Hand-in-hand
Down the Midway,
Between adventures.
I carried stuffed animals
Under one arm.
I had a few
Sweat dampened dollars
In my shorts pockets.
"What do you want to do now daddy?"
"I don't know, what do you want to do?"
"Anything will be fun
If it's with you."

Between guys selling
Cheap reproduction concert shirts
And bright painted straw hats
Was a booth with
Tacked up caricatures
Of men with big noses
And gap-toothed children
Smiling at the world strolling by.

"Daddy can we get our pictures done."
"Oh, yeah, not too much fun."
"Please, Please. It's only 15 dollars."
"I guess it can't hurt."
Quick deft pencil strokes
Made a mockery of my hair,
But gave my daughter and I
Beautiful matching smiles.
We were drawn together
By the excitement
Of being drawn together.

----------------

In 2020 we strode,
Down another Midway,
Not feeling adventurous
On a rainy Wisconsin morning.
I carried a hot cup of coffee
And cold french fries,
That had cost too many
Of the damp dollars
In my worn out wallet.
"What do you want to do now Emily?”
"I don't know, what do you want to do?"
"I was hoping this would be
More fun for you!”

Between people giving away
Cannabis healing information
And a bible tract dispensary,
Was a booth with
Tacked up caricatures
Of men with big noses
And gap-toothed children
Smiling at the world strolling by.

"Emily, we could get our pictures done."
"That doesn’t seem like too much fun."
"But I have the 25 dollars."
"I guess it can't hurt."
Quick deft pencil strokes
Made a mockery of my hair,
But gave my daughter and I
Beautiful matching smiles.
We were again drawn together
By the fun
Of being drawn together.