The Balloons

THE BALLOONS Holding hands together we went out Into the school yard with the kids one day And we held a lot of colored balloons ready to fly Posed for photos for parents then ready to launch They were excited and frolicking as we counted down Five four three two one and let them go Up they went, fast and in different directions, but all Loosely held together as if by invisible threads And growing bigger as they ascended Different colors and sizes, different speeds of ascent One or two went way ahead, one or two somewhat behind They reached as high as possible in one direction then The breeze took them and they became scattered, Glowing in the sun and freedom Till we lost sight of them; but I am sure They went on to become even bigger and faster. Then we went back into the classroom, loosely held together As if by invisible threads. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NOTE This is a true episode from about six months ago in my school. A schoolteacher does have invisible ties to his pupils, often long after they have flown, and reached their own heights.