Memorial at the Carousel

My brother works at a carousel
In a tiny mountain town
And riders come from near and far
Because of its renown.

It mostly brings out smiles
And occasionally tears
But when the music starts, all trace
Of sadness disappears.

Except at a memorial
When someone local’s died.
The ride begins in silence,
Not a single soul astride.

The mourners stand outside the gate
And watch without a sound
As the animals go up and down
And ‘round and ‘round and ‘round.