the first stanza is descriptive, makes it seem like it's a physical balloon, 'over chapels' seems just like a building but later is ironic when we discover the balloon is a metaphor for faith.
the second stanza describes the persona finding and 'keeping' the balloon, and was proud of it.
the third stanza makes us recognise that the balloon may be a metaphor because it was his 'shame' and 'joy' but then 'ceased to be a toy' implying that the balloon represents something more serious.
the fourth stanza describes the 'girls of cardiff sigh' when the balloon soared into the sky, the balloon seems to be that of a symbol as a flag would, broadcasting that he is jewish, therefore the girls sigh as they realise he's different.
by stanza five, the persona is now ashamed of the 'balloon' and 'to no one dare i show it now' shows that he is embarrassed about his faith.
stanza six reveals that 'it's a jew's balloon' again broadcasting his faith, also 'stained wit the dear lord's blood' could be a symbol of the red colour. stanza six is also when the persona reveals he's a jew.
however stanza seven appears to reveal that the persona doesn't see the problem in being a jew. 'what relevance?' this stanza also has mocking and bullying. 'your red balloon's a jew's balloon, let's get it circumcised'.
the next stanza appears to describe violence towards the persona, however 'but still it would not burst' after 'some lunged, some clawed at my balloon' showing that if you really believe nothing can burst you faith or 'burst your bubble' and that you should keep believing and just ignore the grief.
stanza nine shows the 'rude boys' trying to change the faith of the persona 'give up, give up your red balloon.' which shows that some people will have different beliefs to you and may do anything to get you to change faiths, including beating you up 'they bled my nose, they cut my eye'
stanza ten seems to describe the persona as deeply hurt, afraid and ashamed, 'Father bolt the door, turn the key, lest those sad, brash boys return'. however the persona still seems defiant and he appears to carry on believing.
Abse could be showing in the overall poem, that if you believe in something, hold on to it and dont let anyone else take it away, or change your thoughts and feelings.
some stanzas have a structured rhyme scheme for example the first stanza when everything is clam and controlled, however further down the poem they turn into half rhymes to show the chaos and the distress of the situation. obviously lots of faith imagery.
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