Small Carnival Barkers

     He crosses himself
     says some under his
     breath about animals
     and whiskey and night
     the smell of death
             
               It's because you thought
               and that smell rides on you
               like the tiny bugs
               covering everything
                               everywhere
                                outside
   
     Don't bother, he says
     Don't do this

                          This is the last
                          of the day a few
                          candles of it left
                          some red cotton
                          candy, the midway
                          of sunset the sin
                          of the insects
                          drilling in, the thrill
                          of hidden things

     His lime heart drops through
     clouds of an ocean, grand
     ballrooms luminous, night
     singing everything to sleep
    


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