rise highward Kite
ascend in gust-
ful certainty
the freedom which is sky
climb the wind
stretch out to string’s end
what string and hand and arm can reach
tip-toed
at the summit of the hill



once i dreamt
a huger Kite
that raised me breathless
from the earth
and matched my wishing
with delight
to marvel
soaring skywide



but you are not that kind of Kite
you’d rather leave me emptied here
to lift
more distant than my sight
to simply vanish like the dream



you strain against my hold



yesterday
i thought to let you go
closed-eyed
i counted down from ten to one
and held my breath for longer than it takes to lose
my Kite
(yet clutched you tight
afraid)