Carnival

Between two ranks of craning necks they come,

The cavalcade of grim determined cheer

In all its panoply of colours bright.

Excitement ripples through the crowd; the hum

Grows, swells in volume till it bursts out clear

In sprays and fountains with shrill laughter dight.

The brass band, gay with uniform and drum,

Lead mountebank and clown; the giants leer

At giggling girls; flowered floats provide a flight

Of fancy, and musicians blare and strum.

On with the motley and buffoonery !

Let mirth be unrestrained and madness rife !

This is no time to think how short is life;

Banish all cares to church or nunnery !

 

Weekly Times     26.8.60