One Balloon

Inflated
red latex
helium floating,
slips my string to wander,
climbing like a child in wonder.

Weight
Removed
Unshackles me
Away from guiding hand
Up, up, and far away from land

I chase
along the rail,
beneath city oak -- but
bounce, twirl, and thrust
higher, happily it still goes.

I soar
Through the air
Above house and home – but
Run, trip, and stumble
Flat, upset does he grumble

Hovering
above pond
by the meadow,
alone I see your red
in cattail you cannot hide.

Teasing
Over water
Far from shore
A speck is the lad
Followed through brush, is he mad?

On grass
alone I wait,
pluck a thick blade,
press flat between thumbs,
my whistled plea, please come home.

In cloud
Do I hesitate
Mist peppering my skin
A whistle, plain and clear
A last plea to have me near.


The prompt: one balloon
40 lines
free verse

It’s basically about a boy following his balloon to see where it goes.
~Brian K Compton~ speaks as the boy. Blank Page is the personified balloon voice in red.