Correspondence, A True Story

This email exchange speaks for itself:

Hi, G.M.

I found a blog of your by Googling the phrase "Kites of Hell." Funny, your blog was one of only two results, and the other required that I install something. I may yet install it if this email doesn't pan out.

Anyway, my late father used to use the phrase "Kites of Hell" after he sneezed. I always found this funny, and thought that Google might hold the answer to its origin. As it did not, you seem to be my only hope.

What does "Kites of Hell" refer to if anything? Is there some other literary reference, besides that of one G.M. Quinte?

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

J--- K----

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Dear J---,

To tell you the truth, I'm not sure what it means, either. It came to me in a dream, and I wrote it down.

I don't typically rely on dreams for inspiration, or book titles, but something about the phrase felt apposite. "Kites of Hell" seems absurd at first, as on the book cover, with kites barely poking over a fiery horizon, but upon reflection the phrase becomes a more "down-to-earth" version of the terrestrial poet seeking out celestial (i.e., metaphysical) inspiration. In this version, we have someone trapped in the underworld making a connection to the terrestrial world. I found it fertile, for my purposes at least.

I find it puzzling and amusing that your late father used the phrase after sneezing. That is quite remarkable. I'm sorry I can't give you more insight into the meaning/sources, but I am happy at the coincidence of both of us seizing this unique and strange phrase and making such different use of it.

May I quote your email in my blog/blog about this? I think my few readers would be happy to chime in with thoughts of their own.

All best,

Gun

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Certainly, you may.

I was convinced that you would tell me the Kites of Hell were mentioned in Shakespeare or some such. How very odd. But thanks for your reply. My father never got to use the Internet, but had a great thirst for knowledge. This whole exchange would have amused him greatly.

J--- K----