By the Carousel

“And somehow the same. You were fearless”
—Ted Hughes, ‘Child’s Park’

You pass by the carousel
To watch her spin around again
With another new soul mate.
You have your notebook

And pen. She points and laughs
From the ride again as parents
Watch—smiling, waving—
Putting thumbs up for their kids who

Are strapped in the ride too, these adults
Feigning interest as they wait
For it all to pass, so they can safely
Take the children off the ride: you feign

The same interest
For love’s sake, like you do
Every year, standing by
Struggling to finish the poem.