THIS IS YOUR ONE AND ONLY

​

by cate lycurgus

​

​

 

I spent my best years on a merry-go-round:

​

            around it a blur; by it, the arm with a brass ring;

​

on it, sleek stallions lifting & lowering—no telling

​

           where I’d end up, but—knowing what comes around

​

goes. When I wanted off, I steeled myself

​

for the lion’s roar, tossed all I had

​

           toward his mouth, eased to complaining boards.

​

Which spooked the horses & though I’d chafed

​

            at frozen manes, mid-air gaits, though my heart might

​

learn to race to another music, what

​

skewers will hold you in place