July 16th – Growing up in Buffalo, there was a beach up in Canada that was purely beautiful with its white sands and crisp blue-green water. It was attached to an amazing amusement park, which bore the same name, Crystal Beach. So kick off the sand and take a stroll to the park. Don’t forget to grab some cotton candy, or a Loganberry (Loganberry drink and Crystal Beach suckers were famous) and write your favorite amusement park adventure. (Sadly, Crystal Beach – the amusement park, has long ago been torn down and replaced by condominiums .)
***
KEEPING UP WITH THE WAVES
POETIC BLOOMINGS 
Responses
Another older one of mine, originally written for “Across the Lake, Eerily” and posted there Feb. 13, 2010.
YOUNGSTOWN’S MILLION DOLLAR PLAYGROUND
“Trolly Park,” back in The Day,
No admission fee to pay.
Once-sought park was Youngstown’s pride
Railway’s ending on South Side.
Greeted by Jack Rabbit’s hills,
Promises of coaster thrills.
Wild Cat’s three-minute ride,
Acclaimed in “Top Ten” nation wide.
Lost River, Carousel,
Kooky Castle, Wishing Well,
Rocket Ride, and Kiddie Land,
Laffin’ Lena’s Loony Land,
Helter Skelter Bumper Cars,
Picnic shelter, monkey bars,
Cheyenne Shoot Out, Wacky Shack,
Of course, the CP Railroad Track,
Porky Pig the Paper Eater,
Ferris Wheels that rock and teeter,
Candied Apples, Caramel too,
Painted face and fake tattoo,
House of Mirrors, Tilt-a-Whirl,
Dip your fries in ice cream swirl.
Ballroom, built in 1910,
Drew in famous acts from then.
Dorsey, Tommy; Miller, Glenn;
Truly Big Band anchor men.
Tough times hit the park, and hard
Fire left it scarred and charred.
Sheet and Tube went belly up
Leaving Youngstown near bankrupt.
Once, Idora Park had shone;
Sadly, now a vacant zone.
Ticket Stand is all that’s left,
From demolition, fire, and theft.
Rats now roam where once we played,
No midway rides; no penny arcade.
Yearly visits, gone astray,
Revisiting my heart today.
(1895-1984, R.I.P.)
© Copyright Marie Elena Good – 2010
With the exception of Disneyland in Anaheim, I’ve never been to an amusement park. Given the picture you paint, and what I recall old folks saying when I was small, I don’t think Disneyland counts. Your piece recalls the same things they did. I enjoyed reading it.
Back when it opened it was much smaller (and I think nicer) than it is today, and was a bit like a amusement park.
OH, a “Skeltonic” I was mentally playing with that form last night, but can’t remember what I ‘wrote’ cause it put me to sleep. 🙂
I presume that doesn’t refer to Red Skelton, who never put me to sleep.
Hoops – back up to check that in-form list …
I like the form, the details, and love the poem.
That doesn’t look at all easy to do but it is a wonderful piece!
And its companion piece:
That was wonderful, and it felt like actually being on the Comet.
The Comet still lives. It was torn down and reconstructed at Lake George, NY’s “Great Adventures” Park.
Oh, my goodness – terrific poem – there isn’t a fellow in the world who could entice me to ride that thing.
That was a great ride!
THE TROLLEY TO THE BEACH
When I was a kid my mother would tell
of the things that kids did when she was a kid,
and when she recalled them she pealed like a bell
for the joy that came back from the things that she did.
The trolleys were running in that bygone day
and on one all the daredevil riders could reach
down into the waters that formed Braddock Bay
as the trolley sped westward to Manitou Beach.
In the years of my childhood my mom had it hard:
she went off to work, and came home, with the sun,
But her little-girl laugh would erupt every time
when, recalling that trolley, she said, “Ooooh, such fun!”
copyright 2013, William Preston
Bill, it is the concrete details here that just grabbed at me. You always do a great job with form and meter, but you’ve managed to reveal both the difficulties your mom endured with the joys that lightened her load, the “little-girl laugh”. This touched me. Thanks
You’re welcome, Jane, and thanks for the comment. From your other works I know you were close to your mother, and I understand. So was I.
Lest anyone think I was kidding about reaching into the water, here’s a page that shows the trolley trestle:
http://manitoubeach.com/
Sometimes the trolley would stop, and it you were in an open car, you could do it when the water level was right. Braddock Bay is on Lake Ontario, and is affected by its levels.
nice memorial for your mom…
FERRIS WHEEL
I turn so high and I can see
the whole world. Waiting at the top,
the very air seems bright and free;
I turn so high and I can see
cares receding away from me.
Hoping this joy will never stop,
I turn so high. And I can see
the whole world waiting at the top.
copyright 2013, William Preston
ROLLER COASTER
Climb slowly;
pause;
whoosh away cares.
copyright 2013, William Preston
Well, “Will”, for no Amusement Park Experience – Ya did just fine.
Thanks. I park my amusement in imagination.
🙂
me too. Love these poems, although I’m a real wienie about most fast and furious rides 😉
Ditto that. I’m more of a stroller and gawker myself ( and of course partaker of goodies). Nice job with your imagination William.
I have never been to an amusement park (and have no idea what they’re like or how to describe them) so I think I’ll sit this one out. Good luck, and smiles to all of you! 🙂
Friends gather for the day,
cotton candy, pop,
dogs, ice cream
down the coaster ride we scream.
High up on the caracal
while floating with the clouds,
no one can see
that you are kissing me.
Sweet
Aw.
Erin, How about the rides at the Summer, County or State Fair?
I haven’t been to our county fair since I was really little – like four or five. You’ve given me an idea, though. Maybe there will be something after all… 🙂
I am sure there will be – you just need a spark to get you going. 🙂
Did you ever go to a county fair or exposition, Erin? If so, tap those memories. They’re very similar. Walt
You definitely have that spark, Marjory! I just remembered the one time we went to the fair, and this is how it happened…
Summer Reading (L’Arora)
We begged and begged
Mom to take us to the fair;
Little child promises were made:
We’d be good (well, we hoped),
And not argue so much (yeah right);
But Mom was a busy lady,
Seven children, the oldest not ten,
She didn’t need to be driven crazy;
But we kept on begging,
And finally, she gave us an ultimatum:
If we each read a certain number of books
(The older ones, not the babies),
She’d take us to the county fair;
Mom was, and still is, a big fan of reading,
And we all learned at a very early age,
So we happily agreed, and started reading;
All that summer we read and we read,
The pool was forgotten, and so were our chores;
I always loved reading, and sitting under a tree
With an apple in one hand, a book in the other,
Was definitely my idea of fun;
We made a huge chart, that covered one wall,
In the shape of a tree, and each new book
Was an apple, taped up where it wouldn’t fall;
And finally, the big day came,
Sunny and warm, as September days are;
All the books had been read,
We were all ready with our lunches and shoes;
The entire day was spent at the fair,
And honestly, I don’t remember anything;
What stayed with me, was our goal we made
And all that lovely summer reading!
© Copyright Erin Kay Hope – 2013
Three cheers – one for the poem – one for the books read and one for the Fair. 🙂
I’ll add a fourth and a fifth and a sixth.
Thanks, you two! 🙂
Such a wonderful Mom! to put all those little heads into a book!
Isn’t she though? I am so glad she had us reading early! Thanks for reading and for your comment, Jackie.
That’s my girl. A book-hound myself, I remember characters and plots lots longer than state fairs. (Well, except for the chocolate covered bacon…)
Haha, I definitely know what you mean! If I’m interested in a book, I generally devour it in 1-2 days. 😉
Thanks for reading, Jane!
http://lostamusementparks.napha.org/Articles/WestVirginia/Lake%20Shawne%20Amusement%20Park.html
Lake Shawnee Amusement Park
An amusement park once proudly stood
where years ago the Shawnee thrived.
Now abandoned, rusted out
spirits of those who died
there can still be seen
and heard and felt
amidst the
rusted
rides.
I like this very much. I get the same feelings, sometimes, lookng at rusted trucks and farm equipment in fields and woods that used to be Seneca lands.
this is lovely, Debi…
a walk through a memory. Very nicely done, Debi.
For sure.. Thanks for the trippin’
Thank you very much.
Nice touch with this one.
LAUGHING GERTY
You were so damn obnoxious,
in your cage and uproarious.
You in your glorious, hideous
dress and babushka tied tightly,
you were rightly annoying.
I never knew what was so darn funny!
“Laff In The Dark” was your home,
and someone thought it would be
downright hilarious to plant you
near the entrance. You scared
the hell out of me. The parents
would drag us past the “Magic Carpet”
and games of chance just to glance
at your lacquered face, a trace of malice,
you were no Alice in Wonderland.
But, I would stand at a distance
and curse you. And that purse you held
never even matched your shoes!
Still, all these years later I have the blues.
My Crystal Beach is gone and it hasn’t
been funny for years. It brings me close to tears.
And forgive this confessional gaffe: I miss your “Laff”.
This piece was effective: I had to see what you were talking about. Is this it?
http://www.elvision.com/tunneloflaffs/crystalbeach/crystal-5.html
Exactly! That was it!!! I was searching for a photo to accompany the poem at ALE, but didn’t have a whole lot of time t0 find it this morning. Thanks for the memory jolt, William! (They had replaced the babushka with the floppy hat, but that’s “my girl”!)
This is wonderful! such a picture you paint and from a child’s point of view! How old did you say you are, lol….
This is a scream (in a good way). Thanks for the chuckle, Walt!
I remember that laugh and the motions…
And that purse you held never even matched your shoes!
Hmmm, observant child or budding fashion critic? ; )
This really paints the picture, Walt.
HIGHLAND PARK
The lilacs in the park
smell good from dawn till dark;
their beauty, sweet and stark,
would charm an old skylark
if one should miss its mark
and wind up in the park
from flying overseas
despite the fervent pleas
of fellow larks from Leeds
who fly at normal speeds
and nest in English weeds.
But lilacs’ odor bleeds
into the atmosphere
and proffers scent so dear
it causes one to veer
and turn away from mere
spring blooms whose scents are queer
compared to all the cheer
that lilacs bring, I fear.
Their scents precede the rose
and titillate the nose,
causing a stretching pose
as folks get close to those
much higher. Such sights,
from dawns to nights,
and even under lights,
are Rochesterians’ rights
when springtime brings the flights
of warblers to the trees,
for lilacs always please:
their odors never cease
to bring the crowds to these
low hills. It’s no surprise,
therefore, to scan the skies
and see, in every guise,
the songbirds of the air
and hear, perhaps, up there,
despite some wear and tear,
a skylark singing fair.
copyright 2013, William Preston
Rochester, New York, has had amusement parks. In fact, it still has one: Seabreeze. However, the most famous park hereabouts, I think, is Highland Park, where Lilac Time occurs every May. I wrote this mainly to try that Skeltonic form, though. I’m still not sure where my inspiration is John or Red.
John made you “Dood it!”
I guess so, but could he do Gertrude and Heathcliffe or Guzzler’s Gin?
Trying new forms can be really fun. Good Do.
Good one, Red, oops, I mean William.
COUNTY FAIR
Yearly
it pleases me
to repair to a show
where most of the stars sleep and have
four legs.
copyright 2013, William Preston
You are on a roll (er coaster) today, Bill. Every one of your poems is rich with detail and humor and good sense. Talk about thrilling…I’m dazzled, man.
Thank you, Jane. As I’ve said before, coming from you, that means a lot to me.
[…] Written for Poetic Bloomings “Life is a Beach” – Day 16: Amusement Park. […]
WORTH THE WAIT
She stood strong and tall
across the lake,
taunting and teasing us.
We loved our campsite:
the beach, the pool, and
a bike path was a plus.
Yet in our sights
was the allure
of something more.
Year after year
we hoped for the chance
to explore the other shore.
I’ll never forget
when Mom and Dad
surprised us. Finally…
we rode the wooden coaster
at Arnold’s Park,
on the shore of Lake Okoboji.
2013-07-16
P. Wanken
Spot on!
True! great one, Paula.
I don’t do a lot of commenting, but always enjoy you poems. This says so many “good things”
Wonderful memory you share here
Love this, Paula. You can feel a child’s yearning.
xo Thanks, Sara!
Two Poems for an Amusement Park
Amusing Times
Amuse me. Sooth
me on a carousel,
on top of a horse, white
with a course long mane.
Walk me down Lovers’ Lane,
stealing a kiss, and I’ll
wish that you kneel down
on one knee, and beg
for a bite of my
pink candy floss.
~ ~ ~
But Seriously
Amusement parks give me the quivers;
give me the shakes and shivers. What
sort of fun is there in organ grinders,
monkeys dressed as tiny people,
bearded ladies, ducks to shoots and flame
eaters, sword swallowing, rollercoasters,
spinning teacups and heat that melts
the soles of your shoes – amusement.
I think these ht the mark, especially the second.
Like both of these, but the second one recalls the carnivals of my youth, more like tiny circuses to show us “the other”.
The first one fills the cup of the second one to make the cup full. 🙂
My amusement Parks were a time of ‘young love’……
Carnivals were so much fun when I was a kid, though the only ride I liked was the scrambler. You paint such a good picture here.
Both paint perfect pictures.
[…] PB “Amusement Parks” […]
Crystal Beach Fantasy
On Crystal Beach, the people sauntered by,
idyllic children played at water’s edge.
A warm wind blows its foam into the skies;
my swimming fins sink quickly from this ledge.
And, lo! my body, buoyant by the salt
forgets; my mind has slipped it’s bony cage.
Free floats this spiny blob as fish; default,
as once defined some centuries before:
I’m orca; thus denied a human thought.
Suspended, I am Pisces, lost to shore.
Steered by fins, these eyes are rounded fish lens;
spun forth, no more aerobic carnivore!
But suddenly, Old Triton blows his horn:
Gone is that Crystal Beach; that fish, unborn.
Another taste of the classic. Literally,
And They Call This Amusement
A drenaline is the word of the day
M ercilessly pumping in the brain
U nder and over, around and through
S haking every bone in the body
E rratic, unpredictable, unexpected
M anipulations of bodies in mass
E very imaginable twist and turn
N earing the brink of insanity
T orture voluntarily self inflicted
© 2013 Earl Parsons
T orture voluntarily self inflicted
that’s what writing is,lol
Boing!
And that’s why I love roller coasters.
🙂
That’s why I hate roller coasters! Why would I want to pay perfectly good money to be scared to death 🙂 Give me a corndog instead.
[…] LIFE IS A BEACH – AMUSEMENT PARK-Poetic Bloomings […]
I’m sorry I never made it back to read!! See you all on the shores of more recent days! 😉
Spirit of the Wood
~
To amuse meant park oneself on the dock
soak in the summer sun till your hot to the touch
and then plunge headlong into the freezing seawater-
try and catch your breath between frigid waves,
marvel at the way your skin tingles with fresh
and how it adjusts so readily as you swim laps in kiwi green.
~
To amuse meant park oneself in the kayak,
paddle out to the stone island that’s only inhabited by birds-
sit on the broad speckled rock face and watch,
take in all the happenings of the busy distant shores.
Gather in this slice of silence broken only by the voice of fowl,
enjoy the ripples and reflections that dangling legs, feet and toes create-
wait till the moment when you sense the wind shift before you leave.
~
To amuse meant park oneself on a mountain bike,
pull on a helmet and push with every ounce of strength that you can conjure;
rise on gravely tides of tar and white stripe…ply your way through forest-side
and arrive just where you intended to on the buggy bank of the town quarry.
Strip from self sweat-sticky shorts and tank and gain entrance-
swiftly enter the crystal water of the much endeared frog pond.
~
To amuse meant park oneself on the plush rug of one’s room in the afternoon,
listen intently to the sorrowful yet faithful song of the mourning doves
calling to one another emotively from opposing limbs-
a vocation to sooth one’s soul
sounded daily in the trio of apple trees alongside the driveway.
~
To amuse meant park oneself richly in the magic of everyday;
follow your feet and heart with the spirit you feel in nature,
fill up every pore of your being with the goodness of this land-
breathe deep, wake up and do it all again with eyes and energy renewed.
~
Copyright © Hannah Gosselin 2013
Probably have some split lines…I was long-winded today. 😉
I’ll be back to read my friends.
Ooo…lots of split lines…you’re welcome to visit my blog if you want to see how it’s supposed to look and incidentally the blog header picture is the very same kiwi green waters of which I wrote about. 🙂
Long-winded, maybe, but long on spirit and creativity. Your play on “amusement” is captivating.
I agree with William… wonderful
I LOVE IT! Wonderfully done. Thanks. 🙂
O. M. GEE… Hannah, THIS is could be ME!!!!! (tho I need to learn to kayak) :D!! Love it!!
Thank you ALL so much!!!
The HD Coaster
I have a true love of roller coasters
The bigger and faster the better
I can’t remember turning on down
Even in inclement weather
But many are so far away from me
The budget doesn’t allow much travel
So I’m thankful for shows about coasters
In full HD on the Travel Channel
© 2013 Earl Parsons
I’ve never been on one. They look kind of upchuckish, though.
I’ll take the TV ones every time.
Me too!
Something from the past:
Epcot
The parking lot is oh so large
But we arrive early
No tram for us
I see the ball
Towering over the park
Majestic, silver, shining
A landmark of sorts
A sign of what’s to come
So, I gather my backpack
Camera and hat
And walk to the gate
My pass I display
The gatekeeper smiles
And in we go
To see the world
Without leaving Florida
We check for our picture
Engraved in metal plate
Somewhere on the “walls”
Reserved for the visitors
I find it quite easily
It’s me and my wife
Smiling at the camera
Smiling for the world
And we smile all day long
From France to Canada
Mexico to Japan
America to China
Morocco to England
Italy to Norway
Back to the U.S.
And all points in between
Then we Soar through California
Take a test drive with friends
Rocket on to Mars
And see what our land can grow
Fight a few fires
Play a few games
Drink worldly sodas
And belch if need be
We see here and there
Mickey and Minnie
Donald and Pluto
Goofy and all the crew
Eat at the French bakery
Lunch in Japan
Snack in Morocco
And dine in Rome
Then when we’re worn out
We find a place to sit
To watch the fireworks
That close out the day
The pyrotechnics fill the air
With synchronized music
That ends all too soon
But well worth the wait
Then we hear o’re the speakers
The park is closing down
So we saunter to the exit
Amidst a wave of humanity
We pass out the gate
And look back at the ball
We can’t wait to return
To see the world again
Your title made me think of a fruit, but I gather this is a Disney place of some sort.
Next door to Florida’s Disney World…. More science, history….
Making Do
On quiet beaches, lazy strands
with no amusement parks nearby,
I make a Fun Slide of your hands;
aboard our Skydiver we fly.
Together we’re an Octopus,
entangled on a water ride;
we Rollercoaster, Olympus
a giddy height to which we glide.
I feel my senses Tilt-a-whirl;
you are my spinning Ferris Wheel.
Who needs a park? I am the girl
to wring a thrill from what you feel.
We’re not too old to Carousel.
Amusement is what we do well.
Oh, I love this. Just love it, and the tetra-sonnet, if I can call it that, works right.
I feel my senses Tilt-a-whirl;
you are my spinning Ferris Wheel.
Who needs a park? I am the girl
to wring a thrill from what you feel.
Love that!
SNAP SHOTS FROM THE PAST
One Naani, plus more memories.
Friends gather for the day
cotton candy, caramel corn
dogs, ice cream
down the coaster ride we scream
Excitement in the air with,
the smell of the sea,
special feel, sights and sounds,
Music … friends … memories.
Dating years of teens and twenties,
sunny days, starry nights
bare feet in cool sand
hot boardwalk o’er waves.
Dressed monkey with coin cup,
Organ grinder.
Fortune teller’s tent,
Puppet and side shows.
Sharing corn-dogs on a stick,
bottled pop, dripping cones,
sunbaked skin.
Growing, carefree times.
Reaching for the golden ring,
Darts sailing, balloons pop,
Ring toss, duck shoot.
Pink bear won for me.
As the sun sets,
Ferris Wheel climbs to the clouds,
no one can see
that you are kissing me.
Thanks for the memories….
(Greater LA Area)
This is utterly wonderful. I presume you’re recalling (the earlier) Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, the pier at Malibu,. and who knows what else. Your last line recalls for me the old song of the same name, and extends the memories to candlelight and wine, castles on the Rhine, the Parthenon, and moments on the Hudson River Line.
An A-Park in Long Beach is the main one, but I hit the others in that area with family and various dates and friends. 🙂
Wonderful, my friend!! :)!!
Thanks for your memories, they are wonderful.
Euclid Beach
I have written several times before
· Of this park that graced Lake Erie’s shore
The scarey rides that took you to
The top of the world and what a view
The twists and turns and the might drop
Of rides that took you to the top
And down you came with screaming wild
With shakey legs, both father and child
Agreed the ride was worth the time
That they had spent waiting in the line –
Oh, people, people everywhere
For several hours they forgot the care
Of working to win a war that some
Of their family was fighting, gone
Far away from that happy park
To where the world was dangerous, dark
But here the music played loud and gay
For a while cares were hidden away
The bands played on and people danced
Young and old remained entranced
Making memories of happy days
That nothing could ever take away.
t
OH, yes – save those memories.
nice contrast and changing rhythm in this poem…
[…] Written for Poetic Bloomings, Day 16. […]
Ferris
It takes us up, up, up, stops
over nothing but blue
blue above and blue
below,
an ocean stretched out
spilled loose and cobalt clear
over the horizon. You lean
in and I wonder if
this is it –
first kiss
here with my cotton
candy sticky lips
and the boardwalk blaring
and all this ridiculous
blue.
You lean in and only
whisper, soft and true,
“I’m yours, you know.”
And I do.
.
This has a wonderful, smooth sound, reminding me of Henry Mancini’s Dreamsville.
Coney Island
Never been a “ride” person,
though my dad claims
he took me on the cyclone
at Coney Island when I was
five. You’d never get me
back on, dead or alive.
But amusements?
Bring’em on. Fortune tellers,
muscle men, shoot a balloon,
and win a prize. Skee ball
arcades, laughing fat lady,
and–avert your eyes–the ever
popular, Dunk A Freak.
And the food! Nathan’s
still stands, waiting for
grubby hands to grab
hot dogs, and paper
cones of thick salty fries.
Clams, soft shell crabs,
and frog legs, that’s no lie.
Hot knishes, soft custard,
funnels of cotton candy–
and that was only the boardwalk.
For the fearless, ride the
parachute jump, giant ferris
wheel, or to make your heart
thump, stand up in a locked
cage, to be swung upside
down, it was all the rage.
Sure, things have changed,
but the memories in my head
are still sharp. How strange.
🙂
Idlewild Park
I remember every year Mom,
D ad, and the five of us girls
L oaded into our car and
E scaped to a wild and
W onderful place,
I dlewild Park. We gulped down a picnic
L unch of fried chicken and all the trimmings, then
D arted off towards the sound of the train whistle. We
P layed all day—toured the petting zoo,
A nd we fished at the fish pond, winning worthless toys.
R ode the Paratrooper, Tilt-a-whirl, Caterpillar and more. We
K ept it up all day. And the chocolate ice cream tasted better there.
COASTER
Clack, clack, clack, clack, clack,
the excitement builds as
the cars go slowly up the hill
and we all anticipate
what is on the other side.
Then the grandest of all feelings
as we go over the very top
and see the fantastic drop.
Our bottoms leave the seats
and our stomachs reach our hearts
and we are weighless.
But only for a moment
for soon the ride is over
and we are once again earthbound.
Amusement Parks
Up and down
on the Merry-Go-Round,
animals on parade.
Rides galore
screaming for more,
cotton candy on my chin.
The day was fun
but now it’s done,
shuffling home in the dark.
The Ride Stuff
Clatter, rattle
Cars climb to
Fearful heights
Then release
Us all with
A scream
Pirates of the Caribbean
A favorite ride of ours,
Just enough coaster
Smoothing over darkness.