Cotton

Lost underneath bright orange t-shirts,
choking on puffed dust tails and brushed cotton,
the heavy cloth cloud tightly squeezes.

it's all around
life seen from porcelain blue eyes
cased in red painted stars.
the clown stands inside the carousel
singing caramel melodies
watching as kids spin by
on magical mechanical horses
laden in gold,
covered with royal harnesses.

Fairytale carts encrusted with dirt and rubies coast
while a hardened, captured figure
stares into the slow motion races.

layered
smothered in freshly whipped cream
coughing on iced sugar glazed strawberries
laying horizontal like a broken sunrise
on sponge cake
clawing through the daily clumps

fits
the air suddenly takes shape
hovering, hanging around like swaying perfume
after a floral-clad woman wafts through the bus.

things close-in like multiplied shadows
cushioning, holding, suffocating
so that hands frantically scramble
making eggs out of hard-boiled moments
soft, beige padding
that reforms when kicked.

lost in the hoisin
bubbling, boiling matter
fingers reach for the steel edge
only to be met by dazzling light
(the oven bulb radiates heat).

stuffed by its presence
olives bob in brine
filled with almonds, garlic and feta

i'm about to explode
into all that has become
the atmosphere around me.