The birthday balloon

toys with the air

swaying and swooning

tied to a chair.

 

The party's over

time to think

of 70's bright promise

the years just a blink.

 

It dances to a fan

a fandango of heat

head held high

to heart's gentle beat

 

and then quietly subsides

like the huff and puff of age itself.

It's makeup can't be removed

and, slipping sideways in a flap of time

 

recalls perhaps someone

in their former prime.