Why Lemony?
(the “About Me” page)

January 23, 2004

The Crimson Balloon

Here's the poem I refered to in 'art for the people'. My mom (Susan Engle) wrote it. Please write back if you like it. We're trying to get her to publish it as a children's book.


The Crimson Balloon

O the man in the moon
Loved a sweet red balloon
Who lived on the shore by the sea.

"Do come nigh! Oh come near,"
Wooed the moon. "Crimson dear,
Loose your string now, and come marry me."

"O balloon, red and sweet,"
Cried the clams at her feet,
"Take care, for you weren't meant to fly."

But the crimson balloon
Loved the man in the moon
And raced off through the star-sprinkled sky.

"I'm untied now. I'm free
And I'll soon marry thee,"
Sang sweet crimson as faster she leapt.

But her love and the height
Burst her heart in mid-flight.
The moon gathered her fragments and wept.

O the man in the moon
Loves his sweet red balloon.
He sings songs to the sun of her light.

And in autumn, the moon
Longing for his balloon
Hovers low and burns red in the night.

Copyright Susan Engle 1980

Posted by Bahiyyih at January 23, 2004 08:57 AM
Comments

Ohhh!
I love the poem/story. I could visually see the story as I read it. Poetic children stories are so much fun to read out loud to kids too.
smiles,
Liza

Posted by: Liza at January 25, 2004 02:10 PM

Yeah! Thanks Liza. I agree. Kids love the rhythm, and so do I.

Posted by: Bahiyyih at January 26, 2004 07:37 AM

It gets better every time you read it. I feel so sad for the red balloon!

Posted by: Layli Elena at January 26, 2004 08:52 PM

Well, I did send it to a publisher after the Treasurer's Office weekend. Haven't had my obligatory 23 pink slips from the publishing world yet, so I'll keep trying out there. Thanks for the support, Bahiyyih, Layli and Liza.

Posted by: Nana at February 8, 2004 08:13 PM

Go mama! It's destiny just hasn't been revealed yet. But it will be a glorious one.

Posted by: Bahiyyih at February 11, 2004 02:34 PM

I know I am commenting on a very old post so I hope these get emailed to you. I saw a link to your site on Delara's and I wondered "could it be?" I had to go all the way back to Jan to see a photo of you, though I should have known from that gloriously beautiful little redhead. I remember your mom as my Baha'i School teacher and loved her from the very start. She has a gift with children of all ages. I still have all of her children's songs memorized. I would LOVE to see your mom's work in publication. And I am still transported to the seventh heaven everytime I hear her sing "O Baha'u'llah!" Very fun running across your blog, keep up the good work. Arya

Posted by: Arya at August 14, 2004 04:02 PM