Uncommon fair time again
All natural and good
Wholesomeness is its hallmark
Break
I expect so little now
Is it still to much?
Let go, watch me fall apart
Break
The birds are very busy
They sense it is here
Frost on the field this morning
Break
The humming birds are now gone
No one saw them leave
They slipped away in the night
Crystal Balls and carnivals,
Summer fair season in small towns.
All the same, one town to the other. The old folks perch in lawn chairs
around the edges, watching and remembering.
Young families push strollers full of toys and blankets while
toddlers insist on walking.
Young teens gather in groups,
Girls watching boys watching girls.
Girls are interested,
Boys are embarrassed.
Older teen strolls, hand in hand, and
duck behind the game tents for a kiss.
Unkempt rough-voiced men man the rides,
following the fairs from town to town all season.
At dusk, the ride lights light the horizon and
The old folks move their chairs closer to the empty, ribboned-off sports field.
Night seems to take forever to fall and
the cries of the tired toddlers is loud enough to compete with the vendor’s generators.
As the evening deepens, dew forms heavy on the grass
Soaking bottoms of pants and blankets.
Vendors hawk their greasy foods and light
sabers flash in the eyes and hands of little boys.
As anticipation builds, the crowd gathers closer to the field and
The space between the blankets tightens.
Finally, the sky is dark enough and a muffled blast gets the crowd’s attention.
The July evening sky erupts with color and sound and
another small town in American comes alive in the summer evening cool.
The tradition continues,
One town just like the other.
Parking lot windmill
Blades spin in silence, marking the way.
Rolling field of cars, trucks
And people.
Patchouli, silver, crazy hair
All marks of common individuality.
The pine forest path, is alive with
Footsteps and hoof beats.
Humanity and animals moving together
In one direction, with one purpose.
The darkness and shelter of the forest
Leads the way as
Geese fly overhead honking their
Farewell.
The aromas of open fire cooking and
Dried herbs greet before they are seen.
The tide of humanity funnels through the
Narrow gate and the fair experience begins.
Rows of tents housing crafters of natural goodness and
Organic foods are offered for sale.
Barns of animals grace the open fields
Sharing this natural experience with us.
Life the way is should be, always,
Natural, whole, nourishing and good.
Children dressed as vegetables
Parade around the grounds.
Dirty faces, hay filled hair and
Bright sparkling eyes of health.
The common experience of wholeness
Completes the equation, no litter, no lies.
Only goodness and the hope for a new, gentle and wholesome
Way of life is to be found at the Common Ground Fair.
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