The Scourge
by Ken Poyner
No one knew exactly what form the anomaly would take, but we knew that with so many balloons in so many children’s hands, there would be an evolution. And then Little Johnny, with a room full of balloons, pulled one down and drew a face on it. Not just any face: his face. Not the best of artists, the rendering was somewhat of a caricature or perhaps a grotesque. Perhaps that is what it was intended to be. One balloon at first, but what of the others he possesses? And what of our other children? There are hundreds, possibly with thousands of balloons. And dozens of balloon vendors still lurking on the streets. Our best defense might be to restrict the sale of markers. What then will our children invent to propel themselves to the forefront of our fears? Maybe the balloon vendors need to go. But what of the tax revenue?
Ken Poyner
Ken Poyner’s eleventh book, “Winter’s Last Apple”, is just out. Eight of his previous ten books are still in print. He lives in Virginia with his wife of 45+ years, assorted rescue cats and various betta fish. “Café Irreal”, “Analog”, “Grey Sparrow”, “Mad Swirl”, elsewhere.
Books
- Avenging Cartography
- Constant Animals
- Engaging Cattle
- The Revenge of the House Hurlers
- Winter’s Last Apple
More: https://kpoyner.com
Comments
It's very engaging, balloons as objects of anxiety. What will the children do, how will we be judged by them, and every day a reckoning comes closer. I'm not able to make the leap at the last line, but suspect if I could I'd be somewhere new.
Until I read this piece, I could never imagine balloons as a force to be reckoned with. Underscored with how they may be used to propel our children to the forefront of our fears, my eyes have opened to that grim and colorful possibility. Thanks Ken.