Bringing Rainbows and Magic To New York

(From a letter to Dave Letterman's Staff)

Last spring the following letter was sent to Metropolitan Diary. The letter is perfectly aligned with the idea of a New York Spring Rainbow. I am proposing that the Late Show initiate a campaign to Bring Rainbows and Magic Back to New York! The theme represents so much of what Dave and the Late Show stand for. My vision is to initiate the campaign by sailing a 1000 to 1500 foot natural rainbow down the East River as a metaphor for a return of magic to the city. A gift to New York and Donald Kerr. It would look like the photo above, except New York would be the back drop. Over the next month the timing is such that I can create the rainbow during the taping of the show.

Everything could be set up within a week. I would need one rehearsal with the fire boat crew two days before the actual Rainbow. I will be out of town till Wednesday of next week. Let's talk about the details.

A letter to the New York Times Metropolitan Diary May 1995

Dear Diary:

I can't remember when it was that I began to miss rainbows.

I am sure there are New Yorkers today who think rainbows are a decorative invention confined to sympathy cards, but 40 or 50 years ago they seemed to follow every summer shower. .....

Now to most New Yorkers, afflicted by dozens of insults each day this may seem like small potatoes. But the loss of beauty can't be marginalia. I think of time's changes and accruing sense of disappointment, and wonder what we have done that this benediction is taken away, escaped from our awareness like a grade school crush.

Donald Kerr