There are more forms of art in the world than most people can list. Cooking may be an art in the right hands, or riding a horse or setting a table. Or flying a kite.
Kid Again.
From the still air near the beach,
it seems a miracle
that above us there are currents
strong enough to sail a kite.
The long-handled spool spins
between your loose-curled palms,
yet the kite curls lower
until you remember how
to reel it in a bit
and run, and let it go.
As you in the heat,
under Leon Redbone hat,
learn the tricks again
you haven’t needed since you were a kid,
you recognize, through some
adult amnesia,
the tug of the string
against your hands––that tactile memory––
and steer the beautiful sperm-shaped kite
with the longest tail
higher.
Yours unique above the two blue others.
Yours lotus-patterned with a spiraled tail
of purple, orange and yellow.
All afternoon, the seagulls and the pigeons
curve between the obstacles
of string and tail
as you rock your hand
to teach this drifter
how to execute a figure eight,
until a cooler wind,
blowing your shirt-back dry,
calls your attention
to the sunset,
and you start to reel your new toy in.
Still fighting that compulsion
to let it go again
to the end of the string,
you dance the kite
on ever-shorter tether
as you take it for a walk
along the footpath
to the car,
remembering
by some association,
watermelon.
After Forgottenman read this poem, he told me a charming story about the last time he flew a kite. For the first time in history, when I said he should write a blog post on it, he actually did!! You can find it HERE.
The NaPoWriMo prompt is to write a poem about another art form.
lifelessons - a blog by Judy Dykstra-Brown 
The handling is beautifully described
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Thanks, Derrick.
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It’s amazing how the currents of memory lift up old ones of flying kites while reading your poetry.
I really should get my 2 stringer out and see if i can still make it dance! 🙂
Loved the poem.
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Do it! And I’ll go fly my one remaining kite as well. and make sure this one doesn’t get away from me.
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Will do! – And i’ll remember to take my camera! 😉
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Okay, me, too. But no wind lately except very late at night..so you’ll have to be patient, and so will I.
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It’s been pretty ‘quiet’ here too recently!
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So lovely, Judy. It reminds me of carefree days as a child, when the possibilities for fun seemed endless and troubles were not a part of our vocabulary. So sweet.
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Thanks, Regina. The next time we get together, we must fly kites!!!! ;o)
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This made me smile. 🙂
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Delightful imagery – beautiful!
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This felt good, like that watermelon at the end.
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You are doing well following my output even without me leaving you links. Thank you kindly for this! I was in Rome and didn’t read others but now it will improve again.
Here are what Italian eyes by a Brit spurred: https://manjameximoving.wordpress.com/2019/04/22/lens-artists-pc-day-22-street-creativity/
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I love this — many summer memories! Kites and watermelons! (though none so wonderful as okcfm’s tale!)
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Thanks so much, Janet!
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I know. Very sweet.
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