Seen at a County Fair
I paid my entrance at the gate,
I saw red Oxen pull dead weight,
I met a horse of seven hands high,
I sniffed at six award winning pies,
I saw a sunflower twelve feet tall,
Peered in a tiny house for dolls,
Then bought a Coke at the Hot Snacks stall,
Next took a seat, up front, down low,
For the most unusual pet show,
While waiting, listen to the rumpus
of a summer Sunday carnival…
Soon a barker and a girl took the stage,
Him: "You brought an unusual pet?"
(She nodded)
Him: "Are you going to show it to us?"
(We applauded)
She reached into her oversized bag,
Where came no barking, no cats’ meow,
We heard no parrot that squawked or talked,
With no attempt to coo or soothe
From her oversized bag with a pull she removed
An orange traffic cone, with a black base,
And a laundry marker smiley face,
Which she set upon the wood lectern,
As every head at the carnival, near and far, turned
Him: "This is your unusual pet?"
Her: …"Yes,"
Him: "What is it?"
Her eyes said "Duh!", but her mouth said ... "A traffic cone,"
Him: "You told me he travels, where does he get his travel ideas?"
Her: …"Conde Nast,"
(pause for laughs)
Him: "What does he plant in Spring?"
Her: … "Coneflowers’"
(waits for gaffs)
Him: "You say he’s really strong?"
Her: …"He can hold up traffic for hours,"
(postpones for groans)
Him: "And where’s his favorite summer beach?"
Her: … "Coney Island,’
On my drive home later I met some construction,
Where a line of traffic cones coaxed me ‘round the destruction,
I saw, halfway, there was a missing orange gap,
Which drove me quietly to a pleasant honking laugh,
For I’d thought I wanted my own pet cone,
Yet then when I was halfway home
I felt I ought just let them roam,
So I passed on by,
And left those wanton cones,
Alone
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