Black Balloon

"Twinkle, twinkle, little star,"
My mind recites in garbled tongue.
The light spreads like an oil spill,
Brighter, hotter than the sun.
Hear it crackle, watch it spark,
See each colour lick the floor, 
A dizzy war of light and dark
As feral smoke fills every pore.
 
Shallow breath, depleted lungs,  
A sea of black designed to drown. 
Clinging to my faintest thoughts 
Like slinky silk or heavy shroud.
And as I watch it float away, 
This lethal, perverse black balloon.
I pray that it won't veer off course, 
That it won't spread or burst too soon.
 
A devil lounges on my chest 
To play this grim and dangerous game. 
The air he hoards like silver coins  
Invigorates the growing flames. 
Time begins to melt and ooze,
Acrid wax within my veins.
Feel them trickle, watch them blur,
Tears that drip like acid rain.
 
"Twinkle, twinkle, little star,"
My mind recites in peaceful tone. 
The light is soft, the heat is warm
As pain leaks slowly from my bones.  
And when the lasting ash has cooled,
When piercing dread no longer looms, 
I'll love and hate and crave that light
From this lonely black cocoon.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2012

Poem

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Martin Avatar
March 28, 2013 at 11:56 AM
Belated congratulations on this one, Heather. The originality of many of your descriptions is really, really awesome. 'Feral smoke'. You feel past what is already good and take it to great, if that makes any sense. ~Jeremy
Goodwin Avatar
March 23, 2013 at 10:32 AM
Magnificent poem! A well deserved first place for you. Congrats. -- Sean
A   Avatar
March 22, 2013 at 4:17 PM
Heather, A FINE WINNING POEM.... :-) , Congratulations in ANNE'S "any poem goes" contest. Take care~ Linda
Sister Avatar
March 22, 2013 at 11:03 AM
Beautiful, perfect, I loved it! Jen
Fisher Avatar
March 22, 2013 at 6:25 AM
I love the way this poem was written...congrats on the win!
Hunter Avatar
March 22, 2013 at 6:05 AM
Don't think I've seen this one before...It's great...and top spot again!
Liwayway Avatar
March 22, 2013 at 1:39 AM
fantastic write friend Heather. Big Congratulations on your win!! cheers!!! Maria
Jordan Avatar
March 21, 2013 at 10:05 PM
A wonderful poem, Heather. Congratulations! Jack
Johnson Avatar
March 21, 2013 at 8:23 PM
This had a sad tune. congratulations on your win. Love, Joyce
Dietrich Avatar
March 21, 2013 at 6:44 PM
WOWOWOW, look at you on top of the heap. Awesome!! Congrats, my friend.
Jones Avatar
March 21, 2013 at 5:46 PM
Congratulations on a great win and poem Heather.
Dietrich Avatar
November 9, 2012 at 12:32 AM
Heather, this made me think of that pink contest for breast cancer. except that you didn't mention pink. I mean, the images just made me think of something very bleak. You are very imaginative!
O'Leary Avatar
October 28, 2012 at 5:17 AM
Very nice poem... good rhyming... nice imagery... Terry
Ellison Avatar
September 29, 2012 at 11:09 AM
Loved it Heather! Hugs and happy thoughts, Jack
Palmer Avatar
August 11, 2012 at 1:20 PM
great write love the journey,keep em coming
Kendrick Avatar
August 11, 2012 at 8:16 AM
Interesting lines penned using an old nursey rhyme/song line..Sara
Aderounmu Avatar
August 9, 2012 at 1:25 PM
Heather, this is luvly and such wonderful piece. I realy enjoyed reading it. Cheers.
Ober Avatar
August 9, 2012 at 3:28 PM
Thank you so much :)
Andresen Avatar
August 9, 2012 at 9:59 AM
Heather, this is a very good poem - a sensitive poem about life on earth, well done. - oxox love // Anne-Lise :)
Ober Avatar
August 9, 2012 at 3:27 PM
Thank you, Anne Lise!
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