The Yo-Yo Carrousel
©copyright 1990 Bonita M. Quesinberry
pseudonym: Elizabeth Corvin
If we could see all the years of our lives encapsulated in one space and time, would it not resemble both a yo-yo and a carrousel? Delete the yo-yo: still, we would see the merry-go-round of life with its wooden horses rising and falling: consistently moving up and down and around.
The only change to see, as time rapidly passes before our eyes, would be a gradual slowing, and inevitable stopping, of our carrousel: so we could disembark what once was thought to be such a thrilling ride.
Reflect, for a moment, on your life: from beginning of memory. Remember being an infant aloft, lifted up high then warmly cradled in secure parental arms? Or perhaps, being punished for disobedience or, worse, abused?
Our carrousel turns: beautiful wooden horses rise to excitedly enter school. Horses lower to greet other children who bully, taunt, haunt; then, it rises again to meet a best friend: one who stays nearby through each spinning drop of our yo-yo— to pull it back up for us, because we struggle to rise from the end of a taut, slippery string.
Our carrousel turns yet again, horses lower to find not quite an adult yet not a child: a feeling of dismay to learn we don't belong in either world; our carrousel turning ever so slowly to a seemingly magical age of twenty-one.
Suddenly, horses rise to kiss the face of first love and, immediately, once again this ride is exciting. Yet, the yo-yo effect now is spinning rapidly, often jerking cruelly— excitement! Ah, but, a first argument, make up, then confusion, a decision.
All at once our carrousel has spun around to find marriage— perhaps with children; yet, this carrousel continues to turn, wooden horses still rise and lower: the yo-yo string either taut, dangling us precariously at its end or, miraculously, securely wrapped around us.
It never seems to change; at least, until awakened one morning to find a mirrored reflection only just resembling us, the us of our youth. At once, we realize our carrousel is turning quite slowly, horses rising and falling ever so gently now.
Yes! We finally have made it: discovered each fall's lesson, learned to enjoy the moment of each exhilarating flight aloft. But, most of all, we figured out how to cope with life's yo-yo carrousel; instinctively realizing we never would have risen had we not first fallen, nor fallen had we not risen.
What would our life be had the carrousel never turned; those beautifully painted, wooden horses never gone up and down? Would we have lived? Learned? Loved? Does this not show us how trivial it all was, after all? That we need not have put up such a screaming, kicking fuss: because we could not have stopped the spinning rise and fall, anyway? Would we really have wanted to stop it— in reflection?
Each rise and fall, good and bad. Is it not what creates our strengths and eliminates our weaknesses? If we so choose? Indeed.
In a list
A contest entry
- you are a little bit happier than i am (prose) by Diseased Mind.
400 points, ended April 16, 11 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
It's not what happens TO us that matters. We are judged, guilty or innocent, on what we DO with or about what happens.
Comments
1 - 7 of 7
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My...sis...Just what I needed to read today....Up and down and around of life...We all have our rising and falling...and can we prevent it?,,.,,So well written, and also anointed thoughts of wisdom from God...Bravo!
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Wow - Excellent Bonnie
The way ou compare life's pathway to a carrousel and a yoyo - and a merry- go - round is absolute genious - I am sure most of us can relate Bonnie - - lol - love it - my life has been more like a tilt-a-whirl or roller coaster ride - lol - when will I get to sail calm seas? - lol - I have compoared lifes journey to sex and death being the the orgasm of life - home at last home at last - I may post it if I ever get brave enough to do it - lol - Bless God Luv - hugsssssss - Joe --------------------------------------- peace
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It gets me right here.
Such a sweet setting , how does tear at my gut? I don't want to slow down. I know it will happen it is here. I do want to go above, but that will mean that I am not here
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This is an amazing metaphor for our lives. It is so fitting and I have never thought of it in this way before, but your words are stunning and so very true! Indeed quite a bit of meat to chew on in this thought provoking write mom! You da bomb!
Love always,
Frogz~
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Ahh...
Momma, I am full..full from the 'food' full of 'thought' that you fed me and my peers. excellent, thought provoking, inspiring 'truth' in your words, your sight that sees..yeah you have filled me and forthe moment I am content thank you my beautiful momma.
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Ah, to grab the brass ring, to stop it just for a second, but in everything we face, we will either go forth or keep spinning around, spinning until we get dizzy enough to pass out!, In essence all of it is lovely, heartfelt and sad, but that is what we all have felt. Blessings.
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No no it's so good
it's too much . I am so sad so very sad but it is good. The yo yo is so har I'm glad it's gone. I see myself on the horse at it's top. going down is not so bad . I know I will be going up again. but now I see the operator moving toward the lever that will start to slow this life but we know the next r ride will be the best being with the Father Son and Holy Ghost.
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