Carnival

               Today I visited the Carnival,

               With the circus tent just north of town.

Many visitors slip in and out, and others rush from their white automobiles

into the V.I.P. entrance, red and blue lights.  Announcing their arrival.

Walking inside the large tent I found silly clowns in lab coats that

swayed as they danced.  Magicians with gleaming scalpels looking for

volunteers to be sawed right in half.  And even a palm reader insistently grabbed my arm, claiming to foresee a cure to all my life's afflictions.  Abruptly          I come to a cage beside the 'Bearded Woman' exhibit.  A flimsy sign leans beside the locked iron door.  It says, 'The Patient'.  A spot light is turned to the

                                                    center of the stage.

and a loud voice announces that the patient has many symptoms but has eluded any diagnosis.  I turn to look at the curious creature, yet see myself in the glaring light.  I am poked with needles by doctors with clownish grins upon their painted faces.  Only to be told that they don't know what is wrong.  I am placed in machines that are run by wizards that believe they know all, yet are stumped as to what is ailing me.  I am 'The Patient' in the spotlight          with no          diagnosis.  As I begin to leave, a bill is posted for me.  All of the expenses of the doctors visit, blood tests, and C.T. scan are listed--Even though I was the one who performed the tum

                                                                      bl

                                                                         ing act.

               In the circus tent just north of town,

               Today I visited the Carnival.