And She Floats Away 

My gaze focuses

Just beyond

The construct of this single window pane.

My view, obscured by

Beads of condensation

rapidly racing down the glass

Leaving their mark.

A temporary reminder of a drastic change in the environment.

Just beyond the glass, 

I notice a single blue balloon

Hovering.

Filled with just enough helium,

That its string is only inches from the ground.

It is calling me.

All at once, my vision rapidly narrows.

Shadows begin to overpower 

The life in my periphery 

Fading until

I am consumed with

A singular desire

To join this balloon.

I maintain my gaze.

As the balloon floats higher

Somehow I feel lighter.

Time begins or had already begun to slow down.

As if i’m at the bottom of a pool, looking up.

Everything but this balloon 

No longer matters. 

I reach what feels like a foreign hand, out in front of me

To unlock the window 

That has inhibited me for far too long.

As the lock slides, undone,

The top window pane comes barreling down

And shatters before me.

Finally.