Balloon Seller
by Mathew Paust
I learned his real name this morning
found it on Wiki: Royal Doulton item HN479
eBay prices in the hundreds
we called our plaster copy simply
Balloon Man
Conceived in my father's celebration of bathos
painted by my mother with meticulous attention to his
critical interest
skin color and shading their singular aesthetic collaboration
giving me an early intimation of a Giacometti agony
My father's extravagant vocal quaver when he'd say
Balloon Man
seemed a peremptory admonishment
with empathy obliging diligence
Balloon Man sits on a shelf, bracing my self-published books
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Author's Note
Memory from a vague childhood.
Other stories by Mathew Paust
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Fine poem, Matt.
*
"an early intimation of a Giacometti agony"
You've made it all so beautifully, visually clear!
" on a shelf, bracing my self-published books"..
Love the ending also.
Thank you, Bill and Darryl.
Lovely memory. Like the word "agony" ...
*
Thanks, Erika and Sam,
Enjoyed.
Thanks, Gary.
Enjoyed. I had to look some stuff up. That's good.
Thanks, Dianne (so did I!)
* I can hear the vocal quaver in your father's voice. What a cool heirloom!
Thank you, Nonnie.
Had to get my dictionary out. Cool piece, Matt.
Thanks, Kitty.