The Dirigible Balloon
Poetry for Children

Spinning Sugar

A single tufted cloud on high drifts
lonely on our violet sky. First spun sugar

of August, wet and dewy, drawn too close to fair
corn popping, tastes of butter, salty air, warm sugar.

Cloud’s plump golden bottom betrays the bluest
backdrop, milking butter from the sun, just

setting. Summer candy melts on our hearts,
warps our tingling tongues.

About the Writer


Jess L Parker

Jess L Parker is a poet and strategist originally from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Jess lives in Fitchburg, WI with her husband, 18-month-old son, and Pitbull, “Poe”. Her debut poetry collection, Star Things, is winner of the 2020 Dynamo Verlag Book Prize. Jess’ poems have appeared in Bramble, Kosmos Quarterly, Blue Heron Review, and elsewhere. Jess holds a B.A. of English and Spanish from Northern Michigan University, an M.A. of Spanish Literature from UW-Madison, and an MBA.