A Turntable Horizon


That’s a fine horse you ride,
exquisite mane, muscled limbs.

Its bright eyes and tilt of head
are a visage of freedom, yet
it quietly responds to your
hands on the reigns.

Spinning through stars
on a turntable horizon
you travel as far as
push button endings.

Little child I hope you will
always return to the magic
you’re mapping across
the painted horse world
of a boardwalk carousel.  

©Susie Clevenger 2016

Day 2 NaPoWriMo 2016

Comments

Jim said…
Love it, Susie. I relate to the little boy, I was there riding this fine horse along where the writer took me. Should I take your 'little boy' literally? Your picture choice was nice. I, like you had a big choice. I chose the one I rode at Blogstock '08.
..
Gemma Wiseman said…
Spinning through stars on a painted horse...Such a sense of wonder in a child's world. Lovely.
Anonymous said…
I'm likely to be the only one not relating this to childhood, but rather to a visit to NYC three years ago, when I'd promised myself not to say no to crazy. The photos of an overweight, 40+ woman in a silly had and wildly printed dress astride a merry-go-round pony in the shade of the Brooklyn Bridge will forever make me laugh. Really enjoyed your poem!
Kerry O'Connor said…
Such an exquisite vision of all the future may hold, especially of the return home one day.
Brendan said…
Not a free ride but a mannered one, like an aesthetic or a phobia. There's beauty in that circle but abandonment will never come its way. Sometimes I feel this way about writing poems.
Outlawyer said…
Lovely sweet nostalgic poem, Susie. Thanks. k.
This reads beautifully. Love the conversational tone allied with fine description.
Adam said…
"Spinning through stars
on a turntable horizon
you travel as far as
push button endings."
This poem is packed with moving, vibrant, colorful imagery, and it flows so well.
Ellecee said…
I love this poem, Susie, it brings back memories and just a tad of melancholy,, :-)
debi said…
I do love this and the title. Lovely read
Raivenne said…
Oh this was wonderfully writ! I was on that ride "Spinning through stars
on a turntable horizon" I still enjoy carousels and will hop one any chance I get.
Sherry Blue Sky said…
When I was a child, I was never happier than when riding the merry go round. Sigh.
When I was very young, my father took me on a carousel--it was most free I had ever felt--I had forgotten that memory until I read this piece today--Happy April!
Sanaa Rizvi said…

the painted horse world
of a boardwalk carousel.


Such a stellar close..!!
Very nice! I especially like the stanza about spinning through stars. A beautiful ride, yet one that must end at some point.
Other Mary said…
I too love the closing.
said…
I LOVE this. It makes me want to ride on a carousel right now. That is the most fun ... except, they typically go a little too slowly.
grapeling said…
this makes me think you are writing to your daughter - the one who so diligently fights for her bay (not a horse, the water kind) . happy trails this month, Susie ~
Magaly Guerrero said…
Love everything about this poem--what it says about childhood, the promise it makes for times to come... and the imagery. Pure yum!
De Jackson said…
This phrase, and the visual it brings, is sheer brilliance:
"turntable horizon"
Hannah said…
Believe in magic indeed...so special...very kaleidoscopic write.