Links, painted silver and attached to a crossbar,
Towering overhead--an alter to my childhood dreams.
Forward then back, forward then back
I rocked my small body, spindly legs pumping
In perfect beat, until the earth fell out from under me.
Chains threatened to crest the top. A pause.
Mementary indecision. Finally to slacken, jerk,
And then swoop me back to earth and up again.
With each pass my spirit soared higher 'til
No earthly chains could keep me constrained.
At the pinnacle of one last crescendo, I let go.
Upward and upward, the momentum threw me.
Like a bird I flew for glorious seconds.
Sailing through the sky, I could kiss the clouds.
Playground dust rose up to meet my decent.
Flexed knees absorbed the shock of impact.
But, a toothless grin said it all.
Now I am walking through earthly clouds--
Dew turned to mist by dawn's first light.
We exchange pleasantries in hushed reverence.
A robin sings a song of benediction.
The marshal nods and I take my place.
Past and present are melded into one.
Once again, I pump and pull for the perfect swing.
The club rises above me; then its weight carries
My arms downward, through impact, and up again.
I let go of the chains. I am the ball soaring upward,
Like a bird in flight, climbing higher and higer.
Sailing through the air, I could kiss the clouds.
Glorious seconds pass before arcing downward.
Pulled by hidden chains tethered to earth.
A thick, verdant carpet cushions my fall.
A toothless grin still says it all.
