Ticket to ride br gleaming menagerie br lead painted childhood beckons. br She climbs aboard the gallant steed br as the tinkering melody plays. br Whirling lights in a circular world, br Music screaming br laughter br speed spinning in carousel chaos, br clinging to brass br as gravity's arms tug br outward br then br slowly slowing br slowing br stop. br She slides down, dizzy br glaring at the man. br Through tobacco-stained breath br and a slit of a smile br his rasp flies beyond her - br 'It was you who chose the stallion.