Angel Feather (Four)

Our initial attempts at flying the kites were not successful. At first, we took turns holding the kites above our heads and running across the dam. For a few glorious moments, it would hover above our heads and as we released the flying line, it would float higher still. As we tired, though, the kite would lose momentum and fall to the ground.

An old lady, out on an afternoon stroll, paused and watched our futile attempts. She pointed to a flag in the distance. Knowingly, she informed us that if that flag was waving in the wind, then we’d have small chance of launching of our kites. It seemed that she was right, too. No matter how many times we tried or how many variations we thought up, neither Mr. Colors nor the Mauve Marauder would take to the air.

(Source: brain-food)

Angel Feather (Three)

The kite I had brought was brand-new. The Mauve Marauder, as it would later be known, looked liked a seemingly simple kite. Its triangular shape and smooth sails gave it a sleek air. It had dual flying lines which was a little daunting but I figured it wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle. What attracted me most to this kite was that it wasn’t adorned with childish add-ons or logos. The purple, white and black were sensible colors choices. It just seemed silly to watch a boorish green pig face float around in the sky. While the Mauve Marauder was the most costly of Toys R Us’s selection, there was an elegance in its simplicity that the other kites didn’t have.

Angel Feather (Two)

Once at the top, Kim held up her kite and beamed. Its wings were shaped like that of a bird’s and it had a head that looked like a parrot’s. Her kite had a shoddy design, but its frays and odd bends suggested that it had seen the sky on more than one occasion. In fact, Kim assured us that it had. She was so sure of her kite that the moment she had bought it, Kim had declared it ‘Mr. Colors’ in front of the store clerk and all of the Dollar General patrons lined up behind her.

Angel Feather (One)

As Alex and I climbed up the slope of the dam, a light wind blew on our face. There was a light sheen of sweat on my brow as we continued up. The thermometer was showing that we’d be comfortable wearing shirts and shorts but it was getting close enough to hot to be considered almost unseasonable. Clouds that looked like pulled apart cotton balls floated lazily overhead while the sun shone bright and strong. It was the kind of the day our mom always warned us about, the kind the turned your skin dark and made you look ilokano. I hadn’t flown a kite since I was a kid, but I would’ve wagered it to be a good day for doing such a thing.

At the top of slope, two tall silhouettes stood poised against the sky. The one on the left was thin and lanky with long hair and lop-sided wings that waved gently in the wind. For a moment, it looked like an angel but minus the halo and the flowing robes. The other shadow had considerably more build with broad shoulders that angled down to a sturdy lower half. One of them turned around and called out. It was Kim and Juma and they were waiting for us.

Angel Feather (Foreword)

One day, I decided I wanted to fly a kite. I documented my adventure and here it is in photo essay/short story form.

Nothing much else to say about this other than: Hope you enjoy!