Friday, February 22, 2008

By Emily Dickinson

You've seen Balloons set - Haven't you?
So stately they ascend -
It is as Swans - discarded You,
For Duties Diamond -

Their Liquid Feet go softly out
Upon a Sea of Blonde -
They spurn the Air, as 'twere too mean
For Creatures so renowned -

Their Ribbons just beyond the eye -
They struggle - some - for Breath -
And yet the Crowd applaud, below -
They would not encore - Death -

The Guilded Creature strains - and spins -
Trips frantic in a Tree -
Tears open her imperial Veins -
And tumbles to the Sea -

The Crowd - retire with an Oath -
The Dust in Streets - go down -
And Clerks in Counting Rooms
Observe - "Twas only a Balloon"-

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