Where I’m From: The Sentimental Journey
I am from a granite boulder seawall
and cotton candy at Paragon Park
I’m from blackberry stains and beach rose petals
catalpa beans and bamboo
I grew up on a peninsula in an amusement park town. A lighthouse and a roller coaster are the unforgettable hometown landmarks that are forever etched in my memory. But sadly, the park, known as “Paragon Park,” was torn down in the 80s to make way for condominiums. The above carrousel is all that is left of Paragon. The picture was taken last year, but I was 5 years old the first time I rode it. There was an urban legend in our town, passed down to the younger kids by the older ones, that there were snakes in the carrousel horse’s mouths. I was terrified at the thought of it and stayed away from the carrousel after my older brother, Jimmy, told me about it. Last year while riding down memory lane on the very same carrousel, I was brave enough to check. I stuck my hand into the horse’s mouth and didn’t get bit by a snake.
April 28th, 2005 9:15 pm
That’s neat they saved the Carousel. They saved one I used to ride on when I was little and put it indoors in a Mall.
I like your “where you are from” poems, those are great!
April 29th, 2005 10:15 am
This is a good thing!
April 29th, 2005 6:26 pm
Hello, visiting again, this time from Michele’s Meet ‘N Greet! Lighthouses are the most prominent landmarks where I live as well, but no rollercoasters. I too am glad they saved the carousel (but ugh for the condos!)
April 1st, 2006 5:51 am
i remember riding the wild mouse when i was young. i was so upset when i heard that they tore it down to build condo’s. wow it makes you think doesn’t it. i was back in my childhood thinking and thinking about it. now it’s gone. wow!