Plagiarism Is Theft ~ Wednesday, March 25, 2026

A Heart-Shaped Balloon at Grand Central Is Stopping Commuters in Their Tracks

The balloon appeared on the ceiling of the main concourse around Valentine’s Day, giving rise to delight and theories about its origins.

By Neil Vigdor Published March 24, 2026 Updated March 25, 2026, 9:23 a.m. ET

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/24/nyregion/grand-central-heart-shaped-balloon-ceiling.html

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One of the surest tests of the superiority or inferiority of a poet is the way in which a poet borrows. Immature poets imitate mature poets steal bad poets deface what they take and good poets make it into something better or at least something different. The good poet welds his theft into a whole of feeling which is unique utterly different than that from which it is torn the bad poet throws it into something which has no cohesion. A good poet will usually borrow from authors remote in time or alien in language or diverse in interest. ~ T.S. Eliot

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Spring is sprung ... Love is in the air

Spring is sprung not unlike Hopkins rhythm
perhaps there is method to this madness
rational or irrational, sublime
inspiration, meta-algorithm
nothing but infatuation, doom scroll
given infinity, finite sadness

initiates this convoluted rhyme
spring is a plaintiff in crisis law suit

sprung pouncer as black as a lump of coal
perhaps a diamond in the rough, gruff cat
ready for non-stop action, a cool jerk
understanding nothing, love is a spat
nothing but make-up sex, perplexed at work
given this landmark decision, recruit

Love as a metaphor, a red balloon
overhead at Grand Central Station
vaulted mural ceiling, heart-shaped, shiny
elicits the jaded double-take swoon

inflatable cute eye candy captures
selective viewing for adoration

intentionally symbolic, spiny
needles of a porcupine pufferfish

transcendents delight in blissful raptures
high above the main concourse commuters
entranced by the beautiful distractions

aspire to fall in love with their suitors
inspired by Penelope, actions
release endorphins to wait if they wish

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