Can you pop that balloon, please?

“Can you pop that balloon, please?”

The words ring in my head.

But am I tied to an oval of helium

Or an oval of lead?

It floats over and ahead of me

Tied with string around my wrist.

I pull it down close to me

I dig my nails in and can’t resist.

It’s full of memories and faces

And a 5-year romance gone wrong.

Should I try and pop it?

My nails loosen their hold.

Because 5 years is a long time

For a love to have grown so tenderly

And then suddenly go cold.

5 years is an “always remember me”

A type of love that doesn’t just pop.

A love that never forgets

But if this balloon is full of love

Maybe it’s also full of regrets?

I hold tightly onto the string

And watch the balloon float above me.

As though it’s the cords to rescue me

And the tubes that pump my heart.

I pull the balloon back down and consider popping it.

This could mean that we restart.

So I hold it close until I hold it tight

Because for 5 years you held my hand just right.