Balloons
Balloons - context Summary
Composed February 1963
Written in February 1963, this short domestic poem observes bright balloons living in a household, replacing "dead furniture" with lively, fragile globes. Plath records a child's tactile play—biting, squeaking, holding a red shred—while noting the balloons’ whimsical, moonlike presence. The poem compresses ordinary family detail into a clear, slightly uncanny scene that links childhood wonder, transience, and the intimate space of home shortly before the poet’s death.
Read Complete AnalysesSince Christmas they have lived with us, Guileless and clear, Oval soul-animals, Taking up half the space, Moving and rubbing on the silk Invisible air drifts, Giving a shriek and pop When attacked, then scooting to rest, barely trembling. Yellow cathead, blue fish-------- Such queer moons we live with Instead of dead furniture! Straw mats, white walls And these traveling Globes of thin air, red, green, Delighting The heart like wishes or free Peacocks blessing Old ground with a feather Beaten in starry metals. Your small Brother is making His balloon squeak like a cat. Seeming to see A funny pink world he might eat on the other side of it, He bites, Then sits Back, fat jug Contemplating a world clear as water. A red Shred in his little fist. 5 February 1963
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