Twice Told Tales

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“All aboard” and with vigorous pushes the carousel moved
slowly at first 
then faster with centrifugal force.
David Amanda and I visited Governor’s Island on Bastille Day,
France had loaned 19th Century carousels
this one was powered manually
horses zebras lions tigers and giraffes now galloping
effortless to pump
until the attendant signaled Stop!
When signaled again
instead of counter clockwise pushing
the reverse direction was pulled—
and working together 
our random troupe groaned cheerfully
meaning ‘oh now it’s difficult again’ 
and ‘it’s surprisingly fun’.