The poem 'An Iron Balloon' by Igor Goldkind uses stark imagery to convey a sense of existential emptiness and the decay of once cherished ideals and memories. The metaphor of a 'banquet of emptiness' suggests a feast that is devoid of substance, highlighting the futility of seeking fulfillment in a hollow existence. The imagery of 'ghouls at a christening' and 'body snatchers at the wake' evokes a sense of macabre scavenging, reflecting on the remnants of life and eternity that are overlooked and forgotten. The shattered mirror symbolizes the fragmentation of identity and the disintegration of once cohesive dreams and aspirations. The poem culminates in the image of a 'defeated Zeppelin,' a once majestic airship now collapsed under the weight of an 'Iron Balloon,' representing the oppressive burden of reality and disillusionment. Through these vivid images, Goldkind explores themes of loss, decay, and the relentless passage of time.