Perceptions Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

At what cost,
Did you manage to keep your balloon afloat?
At whose expense,
Is that smile upon your face...
Permanently etched,
Not to show a trace of fear.

At what cost,
Did you manage to keep your balloon afloat?
Who kept the clouds away from your shine?
And...
How is this happening all the time,
When I am certain what you see does not exist.

Who did you listen to that convinced you to do this?
And how high is that balloon you see flying?

At what cost,
Did you manage to keep your balloon afloat?
At whose expense,
Is that smile upon your face...
Permanently etched,
Not to show a trace of fear.

Just how near or far are you,
From my own learned perceptions?
And sometimes confused and conflicted by deception.