i once flew a purple balloon, the
colors of the sun through it reminded me of
a fractured cathedral window

i watched my balloon circle the buildings,
turning corners as if it were a taxi maneuvering
through traffic

the purple became darker
as i squinted from the sun in order
to follow its path

i tracked the balloon
through finger-tips and good-byes

it even caught the eye of a prostitute
as she looked up from counting her money

she stared at the balloon for longer
than i thought one should

her head turned, her neck outstretched
trying to follow its path

and i stood back while she did this,
i allowed her to have the balloon to herself
while i began tracing her

her clothes seemed more expensive than i would have guessed
and her garter seemed to hold a weapon

i wondered if my ex had been with her,
fallen for those dark eyes the way only
a man who loves whiskey can

i wondered if the reddish tint of her hair
guided him through each thrust,
imagining my face underneath it

i wondered if the reason he fell for
another scam is the same reason
i fell for him

she would not stop watching my balloon

and i wondered if it was to keep from looking
towards my direction,
afraid to confront the wounded

i watched her circle the buildings
the same way vultures circle the dead

and i hoped my balloon would burst
right before her eyes.

12/01/2011

Author's Note:

title from a line in "the glass menagerie"

Posted on 12/01/2011
Copyright © 2026 Ava Blu

Member Comments on this Poem
Posted by George Hoerner on 12/01/11 at 06:11 PM
An exceptionally nice write lady. And no doubt many of us have had more than one balloon burst in the course of our life. I can certainly relate.
Posted by Shannon McEwen on 12/02/11 at 02:42 PM
Love this, loved every stanza and every word - but really think the last two lines make the rest of the meaning pop.
Posted by Morgan D Hafele on 12/13/11 at 10:33 PM
from beginning to end this is beyond amazing!