Kites and Poetry

Yesterday I wrote about the recent studies I have undertaken in preparation for my trip to China. In addition to researching fireworks, I have also been reading up on kites. While the exact date and origin of the kite is not known, it is believed that they were flown in China more than two thousand years ago. Some sources say this history may date back as early as 1000 BC, but I have not been able to confirm that in my search of the literature. China is considered by many to be the birthplace of the kite because the earliest written records of kite flying come from China in accounts from around 200 BC. Kites in China were originally used for military purposes, but during the Tang Dynasty they were also used for entertainment. These early kites were made of bamboo frames, with silk sails and streamers.

I am looking forward to learning more about the art of kite making and kite flying while in China, and hope to see some in flight.

While kites have also been on my mind lately, I have written two Fibs about them. Enjoy!

reel
sail
streamers
gentle breeze
silks take wing and sing
somersaulting joy in the sky

hold
run!
release
string unwinds
steadily climbing
wings flutter, stretch to kiss the clouds