The Dirigible Balloon
Poetry for Children

These Hands

Mine are the hands
that crumple my poem
into a little paper ball
to toss its rottenness flying!

Mine are also the hands
that unfurl it, flatten it,
and pin it to the wall—
a reminder that I’m trying.

About the Writer


Stefan Karlsson

Stefan is a poet and artist based in Portland, Oregon. He received his MFA in Poetry from the University of California-Irvine. His poems (for children) have appeared in The Dirigible Balloon, Paddler Press, Little Thoughts Press, and Tyger Tyger Magazine. His paper marbling artwork can be found on Instagram @nautiluspaper, and his poetry for kids can be found on Twitter @stefkidlit and on YouTube @StefanKidsPoetry.