My cousin and I let loose
by our grandmother
for an entire summer day in ’72,
how we coveted and cared for
those magic tickets, the green ones
in the front of the book
that allowed admittance
into any ride in the park.
 
I’ve tried to live my life
like Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride—
delight at surprises bursting out
around every corner,
daring, new detours waiting to
be taken, Fantasyland,
Adventureland, forays
into Tomorrowland’s future.
Even the scary rides like
the Haunted Mansion, endured
in the name of experience.
 
The only thing needed—
to remember I hold that E-ticket,
giving me first-class entrance
to whatever my imagination
believes is possible.


© by Carolyn Chilton Casas.
Used with the author’s permission.