My Dear Friend, The Red Kite Poem by Rajesh Thankappan

As a child, I once had a favourite kite
A red one, which I often flew from my rooftop
I would reel him off him far and high
Into those spaces where birds alone could fly
And after spending hours together
I would reluctantly pull him back from our adventures.

Yes, me and the kite were good friends
With no strings attached!
And one day, it so happened,
That, I, as usual, was flying my friend far and high
When my friendly neighbour's kite took to the skies
Clamoflaging its intentions for a fight!
My kite sensed that something was wrong
And wished to return home.
But my friendly neighbour's kite, bracing up for a fight
Entangled its thread with mine-
Left with no choice, we fought it out
Until my kite and I lost
And my severed friend was tossed across the high and windy sky.
Amidst the joyous shouts of the neighbourhood guy.

I could see my severed friend helplessly wave at me
As would a man drowning in a deep turbulent sea
And I, with helpless tears running down my cheek
Wished him goodbye, knowing his prospects were bleak.
With a heavy and fixated heart, I stared at him
And watched him drift away and assume the size of a pinhead
Until he completely disappeared in the bright daylight.

A while later, I saw my friend, the red kite all over again
Softly land in my sweet memory's terrain
Where it still lives in my company
And connects with me, as before, in my sweet, soaring dream!