A FRIEND REFERS to this piece as one of my most lyrical.

   The lyricism, I guess, owes much to the elements of air, the balloon, petals resting and floating and soap bubbles.

   In the current atmosphere of homophobia that continues to deny equal rights to gays, lesbians and transgender persons air is very much present.

   The air of ignorance, prejudice or religious intolerance.

   Yet, among a growing number, it is also the air or airness and lightness of play, of understanding, of defending the simple humanity in feelings, emotion and, yes, even love that will hopefully clear the air.