Meet Me in St. Louis

I am ten in the mid
1950s and sitting in
The open-air theatre in
Forest Park in St.Louis
With my sibs looking
Around and up at the
Big metal poles with
Airplane blades roaring
Above our heads to
Circulate the air and
Cool down the audience
During intermission.
We are there to see
Ray Bolger perform in
The musical comedy
Meet Me in St. Louis, Louis,
Meet Me At The Fair,
And we are anxious to
Scatter and explore.
Our parents tell us the
Big fans have lifted the
Entire open-air theatre
High into the sky and we
Must beware of going too
Far or we might fall off.
I am gullible but willing
To take the risk of
Peering over the side.
I discover yet another
Adult fallacy to control
My behavior by fear,
I am going to make
A lousy Presbyterian.
The show begins and
The big fans slow to a
Low murmur and my
Parents hush us all.
I enjoy the spectacle
Of an audience
Suspending their
Disbelief to watch
The play like folks
Gathered around
A campfire watching
The flames and sparks
Shoot up into the night
Sky like stars on fire amid
The constellations,
I will seek out
Both in life
Again and
Again.