Parade's Pageantry Poem by RoseAnn V. Shawiak

Balloons of many colors, hanging out of a downtown
bus, clowns carrying bouquets of brightly colored
air, causing laughter to stir everywhere.

Flower-filled floats, going down the street like a
puck from an air hockey game.

Seeming to glide across the pavement, it only adds
wonder to the magic already gathered on the street.

Mexican heritage flashing by in dresses worn by
girls and women dancing with their amigos, twirling
and whirling, stomping, bringing glee into our hearts.

Indians dressed in clothes of ancestors, beautifully
portraying their heritage, wonder and mystery fills
the atmosphere around them with electric feelings,
touching souls.

Sparkling life settled everywhere, happy thoughts
and visions dancing before our eyes, later to be
remembered in our minds.

Charles Barkley riding fearfully atop a vehicle, so
out of character, we wonder if it's really him, so
unlike the man we've seen on the basketball court,
against other teams.

Is it just a figment of our imagination, or has he
really been here in this parade?

Sheriff's posse riding by on regal horses, stately
stepping to drumming in their ears.

Davy Crocketts, beaver furs upon their heads, rifles
ready, held in hand, knifes jutting from belts around
their waists, soon to be used in hunting animals when
not in parades.

Street cleaners brushes scrubbing the street, signaling
the ending of this year's Fiesta Bowl Parade.

People packing up their belongings, crossing every
which way, looking for the road they parked their cars
on earlier in the morning.

(12: 54 p.m. - 12/31/94)