At the Top

By Claire Chen

The notches on the giant metal beast
One by one snapped into place,
Bringing me higher and higher.

Up above the hustle and the bustle
Of the fair grounds
Dotted with people.

Up above the red and white
Striped peppermint tents.

Higher and higher
Until the snaking cars reached the angled peak.

Now,
We slowed to a stop.
I looked down at the colorful landscape
Breathing in the sweet smell of freeness
That wouldn’t last too long.

I wrapped my fingers around the rigid steel bars,
Waiting for that dreaded lurch forward.

Suddenly,

Down,
Towards the silver asphalt,
And the hundreds of tourists.

Down,
Away from the adrenaline from being,

On the top of the world.