Carousel...

Riding on a carousel, face towards the wind
going 'round in circles, coming back again. 
Grabbing for the brass ring, just when it's in sight
lights are shining all around...maybe some too bright. 
Sometimes as you feel in life, going 'round and 'round
for like this happy carousel it has its ups and downs. 
The music plays so gaily, sometimes its way too loud
enjoying the excitement... you're caught up in the crowd. 
You've come again a full circle, you think you have returned
now in search another ticket... more lessons to be learned. 
You hope this ride will last forever, you know it never will
too soon your time is over...the motion ever still. 
The music quickly ceases, so silent as the night
your vision slowly dims... the lights are not so bright. 
You look within your pocket, not ticket to be found
with sadness, slowly walk away...as quiet as it's sound.
In life just like the carousel... there's not another ride
never is in black and white, real life and dreams collide. 
You turn to take, just one last look... to ride it one last time
the lights are on for others now...you understand this rhyme?
You had your fun, you rode it well... you know now its their turn
the music comes alive again... the lights now brightly burn
You thought you had the brass ring....held tightly in your hand
but it no longer glimmers... will never shine again
It now is realized what you've learned... the lessons you have found
in life there's many ups and downs...but only one go round.

- by a poet whose name we lost to history