Philip Havey

The Balloon-man



Once he twisted the glorious Battle of Trafalger
With Nelson's ships drawn into a slim line,
Davits, spars and cannon proved equally difficult
Given the diaphragmatic yield of rubber.
Another time, multiple bladders were contorted
Into Sainte Theresa's welcome by the angelic choir
Right down to the least of the semi-demiquavers;
Since the Kapellmeister possessed a penchant for Bach.
He found the Abigensian Crusade as it wound its way
From lowlands of Tours to the heights of Montseour
A provocation of contours fully equal to his touch
Despite the grim gressillons, echells, torillions
And many other finger-snappers of the holy trade
That required an in-depth workings in black.
The Emperor Napoleon's maladroit rout from Moscow
Presented planer problems with the ubiquities of snow,
While his "Fall of Satan", with its nod to Milton,
Became a study in ruby, amber, carmine and rose.
One Sunday, he surrendered to a long pent up need
To fashion the twin cities of Sodom and Gomorra
Out of an accumulation of variegated condoms
For which they quickly confined him to a holding cell
Wherein he produced the hatpin lain aside for an occasion
When he had to make everything
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