oh red balloon
fly true from my hand
unhindered by distraction
soaring beyond all borders
fording tidal winds
unto receptive eyes
that take your words to heart.
Herald hope
to those without it
testify to love
in the face of hate
and bare your soul
before the distrustful--
your tatters proof
of high intention.
 |
| An 8-year-old girl in Mexico attached a note for Santa to a balloon. Randy Heiss found it across the border in Patagonia, Ariz., on Dec. 16. —Washington Post, December 21, 2018 |
We must be more
oh red balloon
than bladdered air
upon cold ether
breath's exhaust
dangling a string.
Darrell Petska is a Middleton, Wisconsin poet.