There is a small, metallic ladybug balloon with little legs and a bright red carapace trapped up in the vaulted ceiling of the 'Metro Center' station. When I saw it up there last week, I could just imagine a toddling little one losing grip of this sparkling treat in the onward crush of DC's metro system and seeing this wide-eyed balloon with its exaggerated antennae float out of reach to be trapped in the sprawling concrete arches.

Today, I happened to be walking through the same part of the station and the balloon was still there--its little legs dangling and body dented by lack of air.

I could see a little face, hanging up there in the arches. Deflated.