Fair Poetic Bloomings

 All’s Fair at the Fair

 

They called it Activity Days

in New Florence, PA,

a town of less than 1,000

where I grew up.

 

First the parade

marched by

featuring schools

and scout troops,

which didn’t last long.

 

The town playground

converted to a carnival

with rides, game booths

and food stands.

 

The whole town showed up.

 

Most of our glasses at home

were won by throwing nickles

into them each year.

The other games were designed to rob us,

but occasionally we came home

with some cute stuffed animals.

 

One time my next-up sister was so fascinated

by a game that she spent her whole $6

trying to figure it out.

She didn’t seem to mind the loss,

but I felt it.

Six dollars then compared to $60 now.

It served as a cautionary tale

that has stuck with me through the years.