A little girl sits
on a wooden pony,
stuck on the carnival ride,
surrounded by flashing lights,
repetitive circus music,
and noisy crowds.

The spinning around
and going up and down
has her disconnected from herself.

She’s scared this ride will never end.

She cries out,

I’m done now!
I want to get off!
I want it to stop!
I need my mommy…
please?

But no one hears —
her voice, trapped deep inside,
claws at her throat.
She chokes on the silence
but no matter how hard she tries,
it won’t come out.

The ride goes on.