Yours Truly 2017 / Cascadia College / Bothell, WA 2017 YT Online Book | Page 74

Eisenhower Medical
Center
The kite dances across the sand of Pajaro Dunes Beach then lifts into the wind.
The tail made of tattered sheet skips on the shimmering wave current.
With each touch down the water splits then hurries back to the sea.
The string tightens in Nellie’s hand and pulls towards the wind.
The kite soars on sun filled wings as if it was the first and only flight it will ever know.
With a laugh, she turns and runs, pig tails flying.
The voice of the wind becomes fluttering paper, the beat of the breakers and the patter
of running feet.
Bending over from the chair I pick up the faded photograph from her frail chest.
With a gentle squeeze, the photo slips back into the worn album black tabs.
Turning off the bed stand lamp the moon glow illuminates her thin white hair and pale
transparent skin.
I closed the door.
Somewhere in my heart there is a part of that memory still.
That long ago dream that has passed by.
72
Ron Swanson