Kansas Summer Wind

Growing up is never easy, most of the time we fumble through childhood without any direction. Some of us are lucky enough to have a magical place to go to free us from the fears of childhood. Mine happened to be in the wind swept – heartland of America in Western Kansas. Grandpa and Grandma’s farm without a doubt was the best memories of being a youngster when up until I was 13 years old and I would spend my summers there. The funny thing is – you never realize it while you are living those moments. It only really sinks in after you become an adult. I wrote this poem – in my later years when I was  traveling through Kansas – and not to Kansas. It was during the wheat harvest and my window was down and the smell of Kansas reminded me of what was. Those days on the farm were truly my wonder years of my youth.

“Kansas Summer Wind”
The Kansas summer wind steadily blowing in from the north,
Smell of wheat, heat, moisture, and memories – all of it comes forth.

So many reminiscences to try and remember – so many years,
On the Kansas summer wind – youthful recollections reappear.

Defending our tree house, childhood wars – won and lost,
Countless dirt clods, pretend hand grenades were tossed.

Grandpas, Grandma’s, Cousin’s, Uncle’s, and Aunt’s,
All parts of the magical summer for this tyke in short pants.

4th of July, Grandma’s chicken – fireworks at the Lane County fair,
All of this, wonderful recalls have brought forth riding the wind – the air

Young days when fireflies sparked the night and watermelon’s had seeds,
Summers on Grandpa and Grandma’s farm meet this little boy needs.

Countless years later traveling through the Kansas, western plains,
The summer wind, smell of Kansas, all the love – in my mind still remain.

The Kansas summer wind steadily blowing in from the north,
Smell of wheat, heat, moisture, and memories – all of it comes forth.
By Kurt James

Kurt James © 2017

Where to buy Kurt James novels:

https://www.amazon.com/Kurt-James/e/B01DTOJ7KC/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1507115477&sr=1-1

Soon to be released my first book of poetry: 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I would like to thank John Hansen from Australia who created Creative Exiles – a website to give the freedom of expression to some amazing poets from around the world.

Kurt James the master of western adventures has finally released a poetry book that is uniquely Colorado. In these pages you will find tidbits, thoughts, history, mystery, ghosts, things that go bump in the night, and of course poetry of the fascinating and beautiful state of Colorado. These poems and thoughts are those you would hear in the autumn sitting and watching the red and the orange embers float and dance on the air above the campfire close to timberline in the Rocky Mountains with friends and family. You will experience the mountain melodies of the midnight wind and the tree whispers. Explore the haunted legends of the old gold and silver camps of Central City, Blackhawk, Silver Plume and Saint Elmo in the remote mountains. Some of what you will read will make you laugh, cry, smile, and say what the heck, but all will make you want to travel the same roads of these pages. If you live in Colorado you need this book – if you don’t live in Colorado this book will make you want to move there.

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Kurt James

Kurt James was born and raised in the foothills of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. With family roots in western Kansas and having lived in South Dakota for 20 years Kurt naturally had become an old western and nature enthusiast. Over the years Kurt has become one of Colorado’s prominent nature photographer’s through his brand name of Midnight Wind Photography. His poetry has been featured in the Denver Post, PM Magazine and on 9NEWS in Denver, Colorado. Kurt is also a feature writer for HubPages and Creative Exiles with the article’s focused on Colorado history, ghost towns, outlaws, and poetry. Inspired at a young age by writers such as Jack London, Louis L’Amour and Max Brand have formed Kurt’s natural ability as a storyteller. Kurt has published 7 novels all based in and around the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Using the Midnight Wind Publishing brand Kurt has also released a poetry collection called the wandering man collection - Poetry and Thoughts of a Wandering Man - (Uniquely Colorado edition) and now this collection - Poetry and Reflections of a Wandering Man (Random Thoughts edition). Kurt has also published 3 historical reference books, and one humor book. All are available in print or download on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads and other fine bookstores. And a few shady bookstores as well. Kurt is working on his 9th Colorado adventure tale novel “Rocky Mountain Moonshiner”.

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Latest posts by Kurt James (see all)

• Night Sky - November 12, 2022
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