Been looking for a safe harbour
for a lighthouse
and for an escape
To be a balloon
flying high
safely tethered
and beautifully smooth
the main purpose in its life
bringing joy to others
and most of my shape
is thin air
held together in a fragile skin
When I meet
something pointy in the world
I will burst
Collapse in on myself
cease to exist in the same way
the joy scattered
All that’s left
is the soft, slippery skin of myself
shapeless
but still colourful
a double take in the grass for human eyes
or a dull object for a bird to choke on
At least I can look back and say
I once was a balloon
I know what it is to fly
and feel safe
at the same time