blowing up balloons at the zoo

the balloon tied to my wrist was
bought with my life savings
it drags on the ground behind me,
a deflated rubber pet
on a leash
asphyxiated with a ribboned
noose

I have been crying
for
fifteen minutes

my father's face
is an angry red balloon
he pulls me by the wrist
the veins on his forehead
are translucent,
the plastic color of a birthday party

I ask him,
--please do not pop