The track's a whirl of colour,
of swirling anticipation,
a loud buzz, a festive crowd
for 'the race that stops a nation.'
Champagne and fancy hats.
The flutter of skirts, or money.
They’re off! The crowd roars. Me too.
(Many are once-a-year gamblers; others…)
It's already Tuesday here in Australia: the first Tuesday in November, on which day there is only one race I could mean when I refer to The Cup. The Melbourne Cup has long been known as 'the race that stops a nation.' It's a public holiday only in the State of Victoria, of which Melbourne is the capital; but elsewhere many people, and many places of business, pause for the running of the race. After all, at most places of business, someone will have organised a 'Cup sweep' for the employees. (I don't 'have a flutter' myself, as I don't gamble, not even a little bit, having once been – briefly – married to a compulsive gambler. However , I quite like to see the spectacle.)
Written for Quadrille #235 at dVerse: 44 words which must include 'whirl.'
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