No Clouds In Sight Poem by Jonathan Bellmann

Today, I was determined to fly a kite;
There was plenty of wind with no clouds in sight.
Most strenuously I checked the strength of the twine;
I didn't want any troubles fouling up my line.
The knots that I tied were quite snug;
Each line was checked with a mighty tug.
Then I attached an elongated tail
To the kite's bamboo frame with a trusty nail.
The kite's blue silk was speckled with dots,
Like blue cheese with a bunch of white spots.
I picked up the kite; I started to run;
As I fed out some line, the kite soared straight for the sun;
I could only squint as I felt the sun's rays;
It scorched my inquisitive gaze.
Suddenly, I felt an uncomfortable lurch
As the kite fell from its lofty perch;
I raised the bobbin in the opposite direction,
Quite certain I made the appropriate correction.
As time marched by, the sun's glow faded;
Threatening clouds sprang up deeply shaded.
The warm air vanished; the wind began to howl;
The lightning was on the prowl.
The kite began to yaw; the sky to fall;
Like a numbing dread came the squall.
Torrents of rain thrashed against my face;
Nothing dry was left to chase.
Lightning stretched across the angry sky;
After a pause, there was a thunderous cry.
Kneeling in the freezing mud, I rewound the twine;
When my fingers numbed; I cut the line.
Suddenly, not ten feet from my right
Was a bright streak of light;
It plunged into the mud with a great fright.
Bobbin in hand, I dashed for my car; I didn't get far;
I slipped in the mud wounding my pride with a scar.
Safe in the warmth of my car, I rested;
Slowly I closed my eyes;
I then realized that my life
Was the prize.