choking on bile from out of tune banjos
the twang was a bit off
the whole parade route was tainted
running beside the float
the goat laughed and played his pipes
while hungry throngs
waited for candy to be thrown at them
a few bibles were thrown
a few daydreams were interrupted
the teacher’s red pen ran dry
a marching band from another town
played right through
forcing a pleasant dissonance
the marshall enjoyed his doughnuts
while flirting with the diner waitress
opting to ignore the parade filing by
the checkout girl at the fruit stand
watched and dreamed of riding a float
surrounded by flowers and balloons
she’d ride beyond the parade route
further than the horizon
the newspaper boy ran beside the band
dreamed of heralding a great battle
of chariots and lions
the goat tripped the boy
the band hit the wall
the balloons floated away
the banjo played on
The Word Rummager 