Familiar summer rituals

Re-defined, refined

Slimmed down (but not the calories)

Cows, goats, and sheep

Stayed home

Bunnies and birds

Flower arrangements and woodwork

Were missing this year

Throwback bands and tiny dancers

Are looking forward to next year

Empty barns and arenas

Define the pathways 

To plentiful parking

Lined with orange cones

Racing pigs and cinnamon rolls

Check

Enormous blow up plastic aliens

Check

And the iconic gigantic ferris wheel framed

By palm trees and the Pacific Ocean

Rolls slowly against the not-quite-blue sky

Partially covered in June-gloom

Filled by smiling fair-goers

Happy to once again

Enjoy a fair-ly fun day

It’s summer!