(In My Bard of the Avenue Costume)

Kaleido 2014 was a lot of fun, a colorful kaleidoscope of music, art and dance. It is wonderful to have a free family festival right here on Alberta Avenue. This is the poem that I wrote about Kaleido this year.

This is Kaleido!

Join me on a magical tour,

A kiss under the mistletoe and more

It’s the light in a child’s eyes, so bright

That it dims the fireworks in the night

This is Kaleido.

Fire dancers, stilt walkers arise

Big bugs crawl their way up buildings to the skies

The first bugs I’ve met who wave “good-bye”

This is Kaleido.

At Takwakin Village listen,

To the voices of the Elders,

See the twinkle in their eyes,

They hold the heartbeat of our beginnings

Their singing high and bright, or deep and low

This is Kaleido.

Watch for belly dancers, who shimmy

So shiny and bright

Their veils like the sails of a square rigger in flight.

Art creating wonderful

Challenging our view

Lanterns light the darkened night

Offering a clue.

Suspend your senses—

Imagine an origami horse,

Galloping down 118 Avenue, of course!

Let the music surround you

As you’re feeling the beat

Your senses are spinning and it comes out your feet.

We have a magician

Believe me, it’s true

He might have a trick up his sleeve;

Maybe two.

Breathe it in

Walk, remember.

For this great experiment of creating anew

Is made even greater with the presence of you.