Tonight's Poet Corner: Helium

Helium
by Belinda Roddie

All the balloons floated away
in a stream of molten lava flight. And
merry-go-rounds became paralyzed
in dying starlight. There was a speck of

something hot on the side of the
moon's bulbous cheek. It had been
chewing up the cosmic scenery,
sparks flying in between bites.

The carnival had come to town,
but few had bothered to attend.
I was left behind in the funnel
cake line when your shift had
reached its end. You wore your flannel

jacket when you took me
to where the fireworks turned
into constellations. There, I traced
a belt of my own. You cinched it

for me, hands on my waist,
kissing me and making me
want to float away.