Let me gather my balloons
(I have ten)
I've been saving them for today
(I know you're scared for me
        But I have ten)
Let me see how far I can fly with them
(I hope they will support you too
        I know I only use five, really)
Will you be there when I take the first step
(I won't blame you if you aren't
        But--)
off the cliff
(perhaps a wind will help me rise
        I have ink!)
I know you say not to trust something so shaky as a gust
(You say this from your shackled shelter
        See?)
But I must trust my ten
        (and my mind)
And hope what I grip is not something frivolous
        (so I may ascend
         via steady zephyr pen
         and the luck it draws
         for me).