Annabelle Jean witnessed curious sights on her whirlwind flight one Saturday night. She left the house at quarter past four, didn't even bother to shut the door.
Strangers noticed the crimson ribbons, wrapped tight and neat around her feet; she'd made shell-shaped loops as she wound, just in case she needed to tie herself down.
Slipping gravity near Lake SomeWhere, she turned pirouettes on steamy air, while a dancing kite beckoned, catching her hair. It pointed out the path of a blue balloon that bounced below, unique as a spoon, though it was oval, its name was Square.
Annabelle Jean’s mushroom-shaped skirt twisted this way and that as she kept it away from a large yellow cat. Scissoring her legs would cause her to rise or descend, while her leggings allowed her to twist and to bend; yet, they kept her together from beginning to end.
Ahead she espied a legendary beanstalk, framed against the late summer sky. Couples climbed on it, way up high, some took only short walks, some sang songs, some would just talk; some would hide and some would play on those enormous leaves unfurling in the heat of the day.
She decided to stop beside other travelers drinking pomegranate wine from crystal tumblers. Their friends were jugglers with balls and bats, the balls were caught with their tall pointy hats. When some of the balls began to flower, the bats would whistle and the jugglers glower.
A small yellow plane passed close by her leaf; the pilot blew a kiss, then suddenly sneezed. She opted to leave the beanstalk life setting out on the trail of the adventurer.
Balloon in stride, they sailed the slip stream. She followed his wing lights and tried to catch up before he was out of her sights. By chance he turned and saw her dress swoon tipped by the silver of a crescent moon.
He invited her, soles to ringlets, dipping his wing, and they both smiled as she jumped in. Off they flew on their very first flight into a world that might provide a few frights but together they found friendship that night.
© Gay Reiser Cannon * 1/14/2014 * All Rights Reserved
Posted for d'VersePoets #Open Link Night
Another one of my children's poems just for fun.
A fable as poetry. Very nice, Gay.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the fanciful nature of this poem, Gay. How wonderful it would be to be able to fly like that without the constrains of gravity & then meet up with a fellow traveler with whom one could have a 'happily ever after' life!
ReplyDeleteoh nice... that sounds like an adventure after my own heart...and if you meet your prince on the way and fly into that adventure together... nothing better than that...
ReplyDeleteI liked this Gay. But can't help thinking of seeing it in a different format. But that is me and you have doine something outstanding. >KB
ReplyDeleteKB - I started out one way and ended another. But this is not the whole story. I think it will be a set of adventures. Eventually I'll probably tighten the rhymes and work out the rhythms a little better and change the formatting as well. I appreciate your input though as everything here is open to change and I want to hear what people think.
ReplyDeleteGlad to know that you intend to continue work on this, Gay. There are a few stumbly rhythms in there, but the idea is great. Like KB, I am imagining this in a different format; much of it could be laid out in ballad lines, which, although traditional, are ideally suited to narrative poetry like this.
Deletei like the image of the deeply rooted tree..reaching into heavens...
ReplyDeletealways a symbol of life.. and great heights....
ha. what a fantastical trip...i bet my boys would enjoy it...maybe i will read it to them tonight and see...what wonderful adventures you could have flying around...cute but not so much as people that are not quite children could not enjoy it as well....
ReplyDeleteSo full of fancy and whimsy...it is a really lovely way to tell a story.
ReplyDeleteThis is like a saga ... a wonderful fantasy.. and the pilot comes like the knight in shining armour in the end... really innovative writing and inspiring to read.
ReplyDeletelove how this is written in a form that looks like prose, but is clearly very poetic. So fanciful...like a modern-day "Alice in Wonderland" adventure. (Bryan Ens @ quest4peas.wordpress.com - my OpenID credentials refused to be verified...)
ReplyDeleteI never understand that verification stuff. Thanks for the comment. Much appreciated.
DeleteI enjoyed the atmosphere you created, Gay! The ending reminds me of fairy tales.
ReplyDeleteThanks Gabriella - It was a funny idea for one. I woke up and said the first sentence out loud as I was going into the bathroom. I had seen the Cirque d'Soleil movie a week before and must have dreamed about it. But she had her own personality from the beginning.
DeleteWhat a fun and lovely tale...so light and pure...love it...bkm
ReplyDeleteThank you - and good to see you again. I appreciate your reading and commenting. Hope all is well and you have a great new year.
ReplyDeleteWhat a magical piece of work here. A short story/poem that makes you have to smile. Love the photo of Annabelle-Jean.
ReplyDeleteOh, this was a grand adventure I really enjoyed the story.
ReplyDeleteVery pretty & fun. I loved the rhythm, the imagery & the story. :-)
ReplyDeleteI am especially to story and ballad and liked this
ReplyDeleteoops -- I am especially fond of story and ballad and liked this
ReplyDeleteDelightful whimsey....I want more! ~jackie~
ReplyDeleteI could read this easily as both child's tale and an adult's adventure. The longer line-length invites adult attention. Lots of morsels sprinkled about, sugared with rhyme and surprising imagery. A kid would have great fun reading through this, no matter h/er age. I look forward to more!
ReplyDeleteThis is a delight. A dream that reaches from earth to sky. It's a journey accessible to all, I'll bet, if only we'll believe. Very nice work.
ReplyDeleteSteve K.
A fun story poem. I want a glass of their wine. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteDelightful story Gay ~ The details are very fancy & give flights to an amazing adventure ahead ~
ReplyDeleteWhat a refreshing and delightful change for these column-bound eyes and dark-shrouded heart, Gay! I never think to submit any of my "prose" to OLN, but it's what convinced someone to push me toward being what some folks call a "poet." I would love to read more of such pieces by you! ~ jh
ReplyDeleteWhat a joyful journey you took us on - and lovely to see a poetical piece of prose :)
ReplyDeleteit reminds me of a fairy tale... a beautifully illustrated book for children of all ages
ReplyDeleteI love Annabelle Jean! So much fun!
ReplyDelete