Late September
In your big car ride
As you take me to the county fair

Off to the midway
Towards the carousel run
Past the colored man in tears

Sweeping the road clean
Unfortunate code
Washing our hands clean
In segregate rows

Puppets and handlers
An American stage
For our fantasy your pose

Madame Pamita
Saw my future and said
“One day you will be famous.”

Give me my money back!
Carnival Rose
Bring me my daddy back
Carnival Road

In the dust of limousines
Ghosts of minstrels sing
Fortune and artist collides
Just sing me to sleep tonight