Kites and Children - Georgia Stitt, Anika Noni Rose

I stand behind you, not too close, not too far away.

I feel the wind.

It whispers things I dare not say.

We know the truth about how hard it is to make things fly:

The kite and I.

You’re carried forward, first a step, then a gentle run.

You don’t look back: at once the distance has begun.

I turn my head, and just like that you’re nearly out of view:

The kite and you.

They tell me there’s a storm a-comin'.

They tell me that I’m holding on tight to these strings.

But I know about kites and children,

And all that they need is air and wings.

There is a secret that one day everybody learns.

Each path you choose will shock you with its twists and turns.

You may forget just how it felt to be so young and free

With kites and me.

I won’t pretend that I don’t see the darkened skies,

But when it rains, I figure we just improvise.

You shine like sunlight.

There’s nothing in this world you cannot do.

You’ve got air;

You’ve got wings;

I’ve got you.

They tell me there’s a storm a-comin'.

They tell me that I’m holding on tight to these strings.

But I know about kites and children,

And all that they need is air and wings.