There once was a hot air balloon named Gladys
Who filled her lungs and yearned to fly.
Feeling the tug of tethers eternal,
She finally, hopelessly began to cry.

Her tears fell upon a man named Henry
Who feared flying Gladys and never would try.
But blinded by tears, he finally climbed in
And loosened her tethers with a great sigh.

Upwards, upwards, upwards she soared
With Henry who knew at once he had sinned.
He tried to settle her safely to ground
But, heaven bound, she felt only the wind.

Henry looked westward and saw a great peak.
The likes of which Gladys never could clear.
But Gladys gazed eastward with sheer delight,
For of peaks, storms or lightning, she had no fear.

Gladys was nudged to the west by the wind.
Henry, in fear, donned a chute and took flight.
Gladys, though saddened, blew Henry a kiss.
Without him she couldn't have reached her great height.

Gladys, then forthwith crashed into the peak
And, in a heap, came to understand why.
Simply because you're full of hot air
Doesn't mean you're ready to fly.

Copyright 1985 Louis J. Rose All Rights Reserved.