Rubber Bumpers

Long poles reach wired grids
in ceilings overhead converting
electric to kinetic energy
humming,
sparking,
powering
bumper cars driven
by wide-eyed children and laughing adults;

       always the kid caught in the middle
       I’d spin in circles as squads of dodgems—
       friend and foe alike—act out road rage
       take aim at my floundering vehicle
       press accelerator pedals
       to their floorboards, pick up speed,
       and slam into my rubber bumper…
       paralyzed, lightning bolts crackle and hiss;

fiendish squeals echo aggressive delight
throughout the bumper-car pavilion
mixing high-frequency music tapping
clicking
grinding
thumping…
with shouts, cries, howls and snickers
generating a spontaneous libretto
responding fortissimo to the carnival ride.