Upside, downside
That evening
as the paper lantern lifts off
lit by its little flame
and floats serenely away
up there over the dark line of trees
at the end of their garden,
the father and his family
experience a mystical moment.
Next morning
as he pulls open his bedroom curtains
full of the joys of spring
their neighbour’s spirits sag,
wondering what the hell
that dirty white splodge is doing
down there in the middle of his
lovingly tended lawn.