This bunch, they never liked me
A balloon alone, left out
Too big and pink and heart-shaped
Too afraid to bob about

But one day at the fairground
Feeling overblown and fat
I saw a human pointing
at our drifting habitat

So, wobbling with excitement
Bullies barged me out of sight
“Pick me!” they helium-squeaked
as they dreamed of taking flight

But then I felt a tugging
Earthly-bound, I met a grin
A boy reached out and smiled
at his reflection in my skin

“Who needs a silly human?”
hissed the fading, grumbling gang.
“I'm going to let you go now,”
the boy looked up and sang.

His tiny fingers opened
and I watched him disappear
and I never want to come down
for I feel so free up here

©2017 Mark Bird