Right smack in the middle of Death Valley.
It was called The Rock-a-Hoola Water Park.
And brother, that place was right up my alley.
It was a virtual oasis of wholesome family fun
Where bright, turquoise-green water flowed.
The laughter of children filled the air above it
As the rivers washed away the dust of the road.
Happy Rock ‘n Roll music from a simpler time
Still played there as if not a year had gone by.
It was a place parents could trust with their kids.
As American as baseball and mom’s apple pie.
Sadly, the Rock-a-Hoola Water Park is no more.
The doors are closed and the bright rivers are dry.
Music and laughter no longer flood from the gate.
No water beckons the road-weary traveling by.
I left the highway and stood at the rusty gate.
It squeaked mournfully in the hot desert air.
The contrast between what it was and is now
Made me think of the man who’d built it there.
He manifested his dream right out of the sand.
And the dream came true - for a while anyway.
But the dream died and now lies abandoned.
There is nowhere left for the children to play.
That’s what bothered me the most, of course,
But its closing bugged me metaphorically, too.
You see, that water park glistening in the sun
Represented anything great that we try to do.
Our dreams are as bright as that shining oasis.
The water - our desire to make them come true.
The desert - the world, full of fear and doubt.
The rocky sand a delicate flower grows through.
But I don't want to live a life without dreams;
A boat meant for the sea, yet never embarks.
And I don't want to spend my life in a world
Without shimmering Rock-a-Hoola Water Parks.
So if your eyes have lost the long-ago sparkle
Of a soft dream you imagined way back when,
Open the gate for business, repaint the old sign,
And let the waters of desire flow freely again.
Silver trophy winner
Adding your comment:
I've seen a few of 'em come and go, too, much to my chagrin. As always, you tell a fabulous tale, with impeccable rhyme. Good luck in the contest, Scribe. Always a pleasure to see you posting, my Friend. 
