Big Balloon

Balloons at the baby shower are big, 

they are larger than her plastic ball,

the toddler’s arms can’t circle around one. 

Light and bouncy, she plays with them, 

picks up three by the ties,

plays a drop and scatter game. 

She runs after a pink one,

presses her face into thin rubber, 

bites with her new teeth.  

An explosion shatters thirty people to silence. 

Eyes rivet on startled Wrenna  

who doesn’t wail but looks like she might.

Being the center of attention can mean approval.

She lifts two tentative hands and claps. 

Following her lead,

everyone in the room claps and cheers,  

she claps, shouts “yeah!” 

and beams a brilliant smile. 

Sometimes in life, you get to decide how to react. 

In a choice between cry or laugh, 

try smiles, they’re infectious, 

others just might join you.

https://halcyondaysmagazine.blogspot.com/p/2018.html

Date Published: June 22, 2018