On a Swing Long Ago
backwards down you come;
below your happy eyes
the deep green grass
of summer
rushing fast along the ground.
you lean forward
as far as you dare;
knobby knees bent –
legs tucked close under the seat
waiting …
then with perfect timing
your feet kick straight out;
slender hands tugging the chains;
leaning way, way back.
circling up,
your laughter spreads
across the little neighborhood;
carried by gentle childhood winds
far off into skies of wondrous blue.
– Jerry Dan Deutschendorf