Kiting
This is a rewrite of a rewrite of poem I first wrote in the Fall of 1997, inspired by the wonderfully consistent Pacific Ocean kiting winds so prevalent on the Oregon Coast.
Kiting
•
a whispered zephyr
tosses my hair
brushes soft my cheek
hope gently stirs
a promise of breeze
begins to freshen
it wafts
and builds
gathers strength
heartbeat quickens
anticipation
spirals anew
the building currents
draw taut the line
then
an urgent tug
the moment arrives
my kite fills
then billows
it stands and dances
sculpted tight
against the frame
caught full
by this mounting breeze
it lifts with grace
rises with purpose
with deft hand
and careful eye
I guide it
safely airborne
further
faster
it ascends
carried skyward
on friendly drafts
empowered
by winds of good fortune
this day my kite
has taken flight
bold aloft
in the clear bright sky
with a constant wind
my kite
fragile as a dream
soars strong
and steady
a sudden gust
my kite is tossed
but a nimble touch
keeps it skyward
should winds
like fortune
turn
and the sky grow still
my kite
like fate
will falter
weather
like life
makes no guarantee
but such is the thrill of kiting
• • •
rob kistner © 2008
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collage above entitled: “Soaring” — by: rob kistner © 2007
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• • •
Whispered zephyr had me going on!
children’s day out
Love it very nice message at tje emd. I love the anticipation of getting the kite off the ground and watching it in the sky.
Love how this is a metaphor for anthing we try in life! You captured the experience perfectly!
yep totally agreed its worth the thrill, I meant life amidst fate
Ahhh… a symbolic state of mind - thank you so much!
amazing!
Rob, I still like this very much. I find it heartening that you revise your work too. Your poems are so lovely - this time I felt like I was holding my breath, watching it dance on the wind… your collage is superb - well blended and pleasent to the eye, and yet not boring - full of action!
This captures the thrill of kiting and of fickle fate. It’s a beautiful poem. For Mothers’ Day I was given a fierce-faced dragon kite, a blend of my love for dragons and kites. I remember stopping at Lincoln Beach to watch the kites on a windy day, especially the twirly ones.
You have described kiting with great skill. Love the rhythm of your words. Wonderful to have a piece of art with it!
This makes me want to share kiting with my young grandson’s. It’s been years for me but you inspired me. Lovely Rob!
Thanks for letting us know that you did rewrite the original- why shouldn’t art or poetry be updated or reworked?
Your writing is highly visual, sensual.
Next time I see a kite I will really observe. Your description has really kindled my kite fascination. Yesterday was ideal kite flying day where I live; w-i-n-d-y!
how fun.
i enjoyed the build-up here.
totally unrelated but.. my dogs name is zephyr.