image from freeakingnews.com
Messenger
“Man is a messenger who forgot the message.”
--Abraham Joshua Heschel.
Balloon me to
the stars--a man
muttered,
but as I turned
to him,
his face inflated,
detached,
and ballooned
past me.
Above it
a comic book
balloon hovered,
saying--
the balloon
in your heart valve
is bursting.
I knew it was a lie.
Glenn Buttkus
Posted over at dVerse Poets Pub Q44
I love that you've used the word in multiple ways here, Glenn. I can just see this. Great images, as always.
ReplyDeleteWhat a surrealistic take on this... it's like a dream of sorts.
ReplyDeleteI understand completely. We received word that my mother's left ventricle has ballooned out and death can be at any moment - days, weeks....
ReplyDeleteA bit surreal, a lot clever, an end punch!
ReplyDeleteFantastic images here, Glenn ❤️
ReplyDeleteI like the Heschel quote about a message one has forgotten and the ending about knowing it is a lie.
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ReplyDeleteA great take on the word 'balloon', Glenn. I like how you've explored the different forms and meanings. I can also see the surreal, particularly in:
'his face inflated,
detached,
and ballooned
past me.
Above it
a comic book
balloon hovered...'
Yikes. Deconstructionism at its best, Monsieur Picasso. And Bjorn is right--surreal, too.
ReplyDeleteHaha, Kafka- or Murakami-esque.
ReplyDeleteThe message and surreal image of that man are frightening to me ~ Great uses of the balloon Glenn ~
ReplyDeleteThat's quite surreal, Glenn. The beautiful vision that turns to nightmare, a ghastly reality and very surprising, very good Glenn
ReplyDeleteA little sci-fi here. Interesting take on the Word.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely dreamlike, Glenn, and a little creepy. I'm glad it was a lie though.
ReplyDeleteThis has a dream like quality, that disturbs me a bit. A premonition that will burst hearts into pieces with the reality of what is happening in the world.
ReplyDeleteSo many ways to use the word..clever!
ReplyDeleteI can see a lot of balloons floating around in this piece. Clever take!
ReplyDeleteThe sort of nightmare you want to be lucid about. Well done :)
ReplyDeleteA little scary but at the same time dreamy. Great use of the 44 words, which is not easy to do!
ReplyDeleteThis is really cool!
ReplyDeleteBallooned me elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteI always love your quadrilles. They are unique. I especially love the comic book balloon in the middle of this, even if it was a lie.
ReplyDeleteThe change in form of the messenger is a bit nightmarish; from one of reaching for the stars to leaving a message of an ominous ending. We all need to sift out the lies we are told. Sounds like a possible political statement.
ReplyDeleteNice!
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