Red Balloon Poem by Della Perry

You are the red balloon whose string broke free from the seller,
Leaving the others to crowd together,
As you lift above the air currents gracefully
A floating dance,
What sights you will see in your flight, your life
The others terrified of change,
Clinging to what they know,
Afraid to let go or maybe already home.
Maybe they will be taken by excited children
Played with for hours part of a loving family
Or left, like I was to deflate in a corner of a damp bedroom,
Or popped with a pin or red hot cigarette end!
But red balloon will see such sights
An unknown exciting life,
Floating within the clouds
A fresh life
Until you too decide to settle in a place called home.
I wish I was the red balloon
That had floated far away.