Seaside Bliss? Poem by Catherine Casey

Muffled bingo callers
Near candy floss and rock,
With bouncing plastic balls.
Between the eyes a sock.


It hits you once you’re there -
A carnivalous feast.
Money slips from pockets
As if they’re never creased.


A dizzy atmosphere
That’s blending door to door
With added seaside air.
‘Say! who could ask for more? ’


The domain of the sea
Is terraced with a wall
Keeping ‘entertainment’
From breaching one and all.


Automated lighthouse
Is out upon the cliffs
Copied for the selling.
An angle not to miss.


‘When held up at arm’s length
They measure up the same’.
Sales act of a local.
How novel. Who can blame?


Throwing of a body
In cages just for fun.
Try to hold your stomach.
‘This ride is number one! ’


Even up to midnight
The lights invite you in -
Flashing multicoloured.
‘Just try once more to win! ’


This is what you came for.
The hours that you work -
Traded in for ‘Pleasure.’
They say with such a smirk.


‘The complete holiday.
Without us there is none.
See it, taste it, pay it.
Free freedom? We have none! ’