The streets have all turned silent
and the skies have yawned and fled
into shades of a blackness
that would scare the very dead.

The whispers of a child echo
into muted pitches of the wind
as mom and dad tuck them in
with another story of pretend.

"Beware of the monsters" they would say
as they pulled the covers tight.
It was a warning they so cherished
for the carnival's in town tonight.

What beasts they are to roam the streets.
Why does the town invite them in?
Don't they see they are the vampires
that warp and invite each cardinal sin?

The lights flare on, the music swells...
The crowd does ebb and flow...
It's a world of mystery and trickery
of which, few really ever know.

The night takes on a whole new life
when that generator is kicked down
and like locusts, they invade,
finding the nearest bar in town.

Walking into the air conditioning
for the first time that very night.
The town looks down upon their lives...
"Those people just aren't right..."

A game of darts, a game of pool -
a cold drink with friends here and there.
No different than the average man
who calls his home right here.

Child, be wary - don't let the boogieman
come and steal your soul away.
Look straight ahead and walk away
when you hear "d'ya wanna play?"

Better for parents to scare their children
as opposed to telling them that they are cheap.
For if we are the monsters - then...well,
what benefits the parents can reap.

Mommy, daddy - that man took my money!
The child will scream in total peril.
And they will act the hero and charge forth
speaking in words unlcean, unfit...un-sterile.

So - be wary little town and look fast
upon the ever darkening fairgrounds.
I think I hear a laboring diesel...
Yes...those are such familiar sounds...

(c) August 4, 2006 Lori Maynard