Glowing Balloons Poem by Anna Greco

Here I am again,
In a memory that I wish I could replay.
If only I could see you once more.
Just to picture your face again.
Only if I could before the strike of cancer.

Voices surrounded us that day.
Family and friends wishing me 'happy birthday'.
I just smiled back, but ran off with you to a different room.
You pointed at the keyboard at the computer, showing me what to do.
A game showed on the screen, the colors attracted my attention.


Up meant jump, down meant… Oh, I didn't get it.
Your patience helped me through.
A call of your name ended the glow of the party.
A hug good-bye, I knew that I would see you again.

A few weeks later, I didn't know your sickness would harm you.
My parents started leaving me home alone.
I wanted to see you in the hospital.
I was told that a five year old girl isn't allowed to visit.

My mother and father had a sorrow face as they arrived home.
Dried tears stung my mother's cheeks.
Confusion swept over, when they called me to their room.
The door clicked shut and my nightmare had begun.

Their voices were calm, but their eyes told the truth.
They told me that my cousin was not going to make it.
I didn't understand it, until they pointed out a true statement.
'Your never going to see him again, Anna.'

My throat started to sting and tears raced down my cheeks.
Tommy. My cousin. Dead.
He was only 10, and his birthday was only a few days away.
Why?

My mother cradled me in her arms as the storm past.
Tears welled in her eyes too.
I gently pushed her away, and ran to my room.
I finally realized that the party was my last good-bye.

It turns out, I had another chance to say farewell.
Years later, I was dragged to my nonnie's house.
We made little cards and tied them on balloons.
I poured all my anger, pain and sadness into that one card, 'I love you, Tommy.'

We all went outside, with our multi-colored balloons.
I stared up, blinking away a few tears, staring at the cloudless sky.
Other people let go of their balloons, it was a wonderful sight.
I finally released mine, and let everything go,
but I gripped on something else, happiness.