Carousel of Dreams
Galloping off on my charging steed,
I travel far and wide
From his back I see the world pass by,
and all the people wave.
And then I go across the seas to deepest Africa:
safari hunter now am I.
I've caught and tamed this tiger wild;
he'll carry me anywhere.
To far shores I'll travel, and lay claim to every beast
(they wait for me to ride).
For I am a master of animals all:
the world is my sitting room.
Perchance an Ostrich I'll astride;
(what an odd and bumpy gait!)
Or maybe I'll try the pussy-cat here--
the one who's caught a fish.
Round and round the world I go, carried aboard
the willing backs of all the beasts that live.
From up on my perch, the people look small,
and I am the one in charge.
I'm off on my travels, and my mother is bidding
a tearful farewell.
But I am brave and I am bold; I don't even cast a backward look
as I travel around and 'round again.
What music is this? Pomp and royal--
a tribute to me--the King!
And off I go with head held high,
reviewing my subjects below.
Suddenly though, the music fades,
and the world
begins to slow.
And then it stops; my reverie ends,
As I climb sadly down from the carousel.
About the Carousel of Dreams
This poem came to me as I watched my children riding round and round on a large carousel.
The mile-wide grins on their faces told this tale.
Originally written back in about 1986, with a minor tweak in 2010.
© 2010 Liz Elias