A Poem—Remembering Carnival Day

Tonight is the Iolani Carnival, and I am remembering my favorite game, the dime toss.

Here is a poem I wrote about the thrill of winning those colored glass dishes, with a lucky flick of a coin—

At the Carnival’s Dime Toss Booth

That what shimmers, shatters
	was the game’s 
principle thrill. Cut glassware 

stacked to a palatial sheen, precious
	as precarious 
under white tent lights’ brash 

glare. Congregants gathered
	at the booth’s 
edges to pitch their wishes

that showered down
	a chandelier 
of dimes. Plinks and jingles

in giddy trickle over
	goblet 
lips and tumblers, assorted dishes

and colored ashtrays, 
	amber 
and rose. Whatever the employed 

technique, the game defeated 
	intent 
since the object you meant 

your aim for deflected each coin’s 
	level 
best, but then a luckless lob 

would ricochet, sail and—kissed 
	by grace—
settle on some humble plate, sidelong 

like a glance, the glimmer 
	of gain 
and each itching toss 

pitched against 
	drubbing 
loss.