Red Kite Down

(magnificent, even in death)

imagine this avian marvel
moments before he tumbled
out of morning sky
once majestic in countryside flight
soaring before death dealt
its final blow

i am thankful i didn’t see
his fall from grace
didn’t see him die on the wing
to find him spreadeagled
amid the pine cones littered
on this overgrown path
in a discarded graveyard

Reviews

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

I read this and immediately too like a previous reader thought of the tragic India plane crash
It’s a v good poem Chris well done

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Julie. I think many of us are thinking about the tragedy of that Air India flight. Such a sad loss of so many lives. The impact truly devastating and the stories in the press make you weep.

Chris

[DIVYA]

Dear Chris,
For some reason this tragic and touching portrayal of the fallen bird reminded me of the Air India 787 crash in our country just 2 days back, killing hundreds. Soaring one minute, tumbling the next. We're so helpless as we watch life do its thing...

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you DIVYA, the sad fate of the Air India flight, is indeed a tragedy of magnitude. Yes, soaring one minute and downed the next. Life can be so
sorrowful, none of us know when our time is up. A lesson in making the most of each day. Thrilled you stopped by today.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I feel this kite represents a soldier who died in a war, perhaps an Air Force bomber....shot out of the sky...parachuting but being impaled in a tree...That is where you took me.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you j. I like very much where you travelled with my words. You gifted me a different perspective.

Chris

[Arundass TP]

Nicely written poem. Now these days I loves graveyard s. Good work

[Chris Shaw]

Hello my friend. This was an old Victorian graveyard. Nature had reclaimed most of it. Pleased you enjoyed my poem.

Chris

[Arundass TP]

Sure. Have a great day 😊

[Amanda Renee]

this work is so good that I dare to comment, but wow, and thank you for this!

[Chris Shaw]

Amanda , thank you for your encouraging visit. Always good to see you. Pleased you enjoyed this poem. All the best.

Chris

[red93]

Stunning Work Chris, and not for the first time reading yr Poetry, I think of Anglo-American Great WH Auden. Really Excellent ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Chris Shaw]

Tony, you are spoiling me with your encouragement. Thank you so much. I like Auden’s poetry too, especially stop all the clocks.

Chris

[red93]

✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Vol]

Chris,
In Texas we have Mississippi Kites, black on top and their white underbellies make them almost disappear in the sky... too forever to identify what the were until they began to roost in some nearby trees.
They sail smootandn clean when on the hunt...
But like I feel for all birds i find on the ground, I'm always sad to think of the freedom lost, and wish I could fly up into that tree and watch the world...
That last image of a "discarded graveyard" now that is a heart wrecker!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Vol for your share about your part of the world. Yes, avian friends represent freedom for me too. Always sad to see them grounded. First time I had ever seen a red kite up close. Huge wing span and red tail feathers and yes, in an old Victorian graveyard. I like to think it chose its last resting place. I like it there too. Nature has reclaimed all. It’s a fascinating place.

Chris

[Vol]

Sounds British and Gothic, and Lovely!