At the County Fair (in New Jersey)
by kimberly e. ruth

He blew up my balloon and I held my breath. As
it got bigger, so did my eyes, as though air were

being blown into me instead of the balloon. I was
filled with air. It was filling with air. The air was

cool and Mom tied the string from the balloon to my wrist
and we walked to the parking lot. I kick at something

on the ground and in the car I buckle up. The window is down and
the air is blowing and my hair is blowing and the balloon is dancing

and Mom says hold it still I can’t see behind me. She couldn’t
see behind her, she kept saying. So, I held it still.

Grandma used to always say little ones in front.
Okay. Now, smile!