The Dirigible Balloon
Poetry for Children

For Christmas What I Want

… is wings to shrug onto my back for flying
over town, seeing into the gardens,
feeling the wind on my cheeks and my belly –
wings that require no batteries, of course.
I want these in my wardrobe.

… is the first moment of a hug, when
the air between you is squashing
and the arms beginning to clasp
and the warmth beginning to seep.
I want this in a jumper.

… is the smell of the morning run
when it is becoming light and you begin to see
that the day has a purpose so noble and true
that it does not need to explain itself to you.
I want this in a bottle.

… is the heat of a sip of tea
curling the side of my lips and waking
my hands and my head to possibilities
of flavour and nourishment.
I want this in a larger, differently-shaped bottle.

… is the belly-laugh of an in-joke
that either we have just invented
or we have been working for many years
until it is funny all over again.
I want this in a board game.

… is chocolate mousse, made with very dark
chocolate and a little honey (no sugar)
and thick cream so it holds its texture
and I want enough so that I can have seconds.
I want this in the fridge.

… is to climb a grey-green hill
scrambling over volcano-made rocks in the rain
and to stand at the top and to open
my arms wide and to shout.
I want this in a song.

… is delight.
I want this in your eyes.

About the Writer


Hilary Elder

Hilary was born, raised and lives in the Far North of England – though she has been to other places. She loves writing for children and grownups, and doing projects helping people get the most out of words. She has work published in Tyger Tyger, The Caterpillar, Paddle Press, The Dirigible Balloon and Northern Gravy, among others. Her first book of poems comes out with Valley Press in 2025. Find her at hilaryelder.com