Balloon Child

Born of my lungs,
Each breath makes me
Weaker,
Dizzy light-headed stumbling
As you grow
Fatter,
Sucking away my life.

His back turned,
Oblivious
To your rapid growth
And my rapid
Downfall,
Comments idly
On the weather and

Changing winds,
Bringing with it an icy
Loneliness,
As you float away
To new heights.
Leaving me
Alone with a

Faded photograph
That I can flash around at parties
And gatherings of
Pathetic, breathless women,
Impressing them
With tales of things
(You never did).

Rachel Zarrop's Questions:

1. It is obvious what the poem is about? (a child growing up and leaving its mother)

2. Does the metaphor of a balloon work in this context?

3. Does the poem flow correctly?