The Balloon

I am a balloon, happy and free
My friends and I brighten every party
Festival colors, waving animation
My life is all about the celebration

I wait in a corral as one by one
My friends all leave as the children come
I’m all alone now questioning why
Why has everyone passed me by

Are my colors not as bright as the rest
Up until now I thought I was the best
Oh wait, wait, here comes a little girl
All smiles and bows and cute blond curls

She’s taken my string and I’m filled with joy
We dance together she loves her new toy
I see some others lifting off to the sky
And just at that minute, I wonder why

Why can I not soar to the clouds
Flying high looking down on the crowds
Tethered to string that holds me down
My life’s too short to stay on the ground

With all of my might I pull at the knot
The little girl jumps but I can’t be caught
I look down and see her tears as they fall
The hurt in her eyes makes me feel very small

She rescued me there ... the last one left
She made me feel loved and I left her bereft
Regret overcomes me but I can’t go back
I’ve already set myself on this track

I sadly look skyward but my friends are gone
And suddenly I’m left again forlorn
Floating aimlessly on a journey I can’t stop
Before me a tree branch appears and then ... pop!

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Susan Ashley

Date: 3/6/2018 4:35:00 PM

Wow Judy! It's up, up and away with a creative, wonderful and whimsical personification poem of a wishful balloon's adventure.. Your great use of metaphor is beautifully expressed in your touching poem. I love your lovely poem, and especially, the surprise twist at the end.. Excellent poetry, poetess! Warmest wishes my NE friend :)) ~Susan

Judith S
Date: 3/11/2018 7:25:00 PM

Thank you so much for your amazing comments my NE friend :) You really should do professional commentary!!! Appreciate you visiting one of my older writes :) ~Judy

Maria Williams

Date: 1/22/2018 5:36:00 AM

A wonderful rhyme Judy, very representative of life as well. A very clever personification and I love it a fave for sure....Maria xxx

Judith S
Date: 1/22/2018 2:45:00 PM

Thank you so much Maria!! So kind of you to visit my past poetry. I really appreciate your constant support my dear friend :) ~Judy

Chuck Melugin

Date: 12/22/2017 7:25:00 AM

Judith....I love it!! Your creative concepts climbs the most daring poetic peaks and you soar!

Judith S
Date: 12/22/2017 10:46:00 PM

Thank you for your kind comments Chuck!! Best, Judy

James Marshall Goff

Date: 12/13/2017 9:24:00 AM

Yes! a delightful poem, crafted well, Judith, absolutely fell in with balloons journey, bravo!

Judith S
Date: 12/13/2017 5:30:00 PM

Thank you James !!! So nice of you to visit :). ~ -Judy

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 12/8/2017 6:17:00 PM

An example when being free is not all it's cut out to be!! A life cut too short, and what a wonderful personification this was, Judith.

Judith S
Date: 12/8/2017 6:51:00 PM

Thank you so much Andrea for your very kind comments. I appreciate you stopping by to read :) ~ Judy

Mick Talbot

Date: 12/5/2017 5:06:00 AM

A super personification, will have to write one!

Judith S
Date: 12/5/2017 5:31:00 AM

Thanks for reading Mike! Best, Judy

Lewis Raynes

Date: 12/4/2017 9:30:00 PM

this is such a fun write with twists and turns... love the idea of the journey of a balloon, great personification.

Judith S
Date: 12/5/2017 5:32:00 AM

Thank you Lewis! It was really fun to write :) Thanks for stopping by!

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 12/4/2017 2:46:00 PM

- You're right, Judith "a journey I (you) can not stop" ... one day you will take the same journey ... pop...pop...pop :))) - A touching and great description of life and friendship - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Judith S
Date: 12/4/2017 6:58:00 PM

Thank you Anne-Lise. I appreciate your visit :) ~ Judy

Probir Gupta

Date: 12/4/2017 6:47:00 AM

Very touching ... beautiful ...

Judith S
Date: 12/4/2017 6:57:00 PM

Thank you so much Probir. Appreciate your visit! ~Judy

John Gondolf

Date: 12/2/2017 7:27:00 PM

I enjoyed reading, Judy, a clever personification. Nicely done. John

Judith S
Date: 12/3/2017 6:33:00 PM

Thanks so much John !! Appreciate you stopping by :) Best, Judy

Ricky Muse

Date: 12/2/2017 1:03:00 PM

Such a well crafted allegory. Tinged with personification and irony.

Judith S
Date: 12/3/2017 6:32:00 PM

THANK you Richard!!! Such great comments ... I appreciate you reading :) Best, Judy

Winged Warrior

Date: 12/2/2017 12:46:00 PM

Who doesn't love a balloon...unfortunately mine either burst or flew away lol...great metaphor Judith...god bless...^WW^

Judith S
Date: 12/3/2017 5:39:00 PM

Thanks for reading WW!! :) ~Judy

John Hamilton

Date: 12/1/2017 9:51:00 PM

I enjoyed this poem Judith, has an airy feel for some reason...interesting how you make the reader feel for the balloon, great personification!

Judith S
Date: 12/3/2017 5:38:00 PM

Thank you John Hamilton! I always appreciate you reading and you kind comments. Best, Judy

Silent One

Date: 12/1/2017 3:12:00 PM

Are you a balloon because you have a lot of air in your head? Sadly a balloon only has a short life, but there are always so many other balloons... friends come and go... great use of metaphor... this is an excellent poem..

Judith S
Date: 12/1/2017 6:57:00 PM

I hope I don't have a lot of air in my head lol. Friends do come and go but the good ones stay :) I always appreciate your great comments and support!