Red balloon,
Your taut face aimed high.
I try not to cry too much
Watching you fly.
Deflated, you were pocket-sized
And in need of a just enough breath,
Like that kiss we never finished.
(I would still finish it, if you'd turn this way.)
Red balloon, I can still see you,
Arms up, tail down,
Face bright with anticipation,
Flushed for something, something...
I can't quite put my finger
Around. The lost elastic paper
Rock, scizzors...
These games are so hard for me to play
This year.
Are you 98 I wonder? 100?
Red balloon, I still see you,
The face of a sun, cloudless,
Needing only enough wind
To bear through -
You're whole.
I could cross my legs to this
And say a quiet prayer for your journey
Though I must admit,
I don't know what balloons would pray to...
Maybe a sun or moon or a book
Of pages once written, not responded to,
Speaking, listening...I don't really know.
But when you drift, I still keep watch,
Holding one thread of the knot,
Broken.
