Home from a party
the silver balloon
followed me.
From room to room,
it bumped the ceiling,
in my wake
morning to night.
By some freak
of draft or static
electricity”
it waltzed as if charmed.
Why did it choose me,
not my husband
or sons, to chase?
When the helium weakened
it sank to face
level and bobbed,
nodding assent
to my every choice.
Still not content,
for days it stalked
unshakeably.
Its ribbon hung down,
synecdoche
suggesting a torso,
pathetic and spare.
I’d turn and confront my
reflected stare.
As it grew wrinkled
it followed still
rubbing against me
at ankle height till,
annoyed, I tied it
to a chair’s back.
In a distant corner
it dangles, slack,
a slighted suitor
or castoff pet.
I should throw it out
but haven’t yet.
You have a decision to make: double or nothing.
For this week only, a generous supporter has offered to fully match all new and increased donations to First Things up to $60,000.
In other words, your gift of $50 unlocks $100 for First Things, your gift of $100 unlocks $200, and so on, up to a total of $120,000. But if you don’t give, nothing.
So what will it be, dear reader: double, or nothing?
Make your year-end gift go twice as far for First Things by giving now.
