Ballons

Happiness on a string

Balloons



Some are filled with helium and others, just hot air—

the young ones brightly bursting with pent up energy

while older ones lie about—listless—drooping sadly—

a lone crimson ribbon—a tether dragging the ground—

at the zoo—at the circus—or at the carnival

the man walks about selling happiness on a string

to those with the money—for others he has no time—

inevitably some tiny hands lose their tight grip

and their happiness floats aloft to wander afar

over the faint haunting songs of the calliope