Forward and back, back and forward
Wind rushing past my cheek
Whoosh…Whoosh…
Eyes closed, sunbeams on my face
I am in my happy place
No thoughts…
Concerns have flown away
Back and forth, forward and back
Taking huge gulps of spring-scented air
Blowing the breath out
Through a wide grin, plastered to my face
Long hair streaming wildly, freely behind me
Or falling forward into my eyes and nose
Tendrils clinging to the moisture on my lips
Forward and back, back and forth
Traveling through time and space
Emptying my mind
Listening to the trees sigh in the wind
Feeling the pull on my arms
From the warm chains in my hands
Gliding through the air
Back and forth, forward and back
Thoughts dart through my mind like butterflies
Hovering briefly
Then spirited away on the wind
Sun-warmed skin softening
To the heat, opening, relaxing
Weightless
Forward and back, back and forth
Momentum begins to slow
My body intuitively moves, shifts
Time changes
I’m not ready yet
Still a need for movement
Go, go, go
Back and forth, forward and back
Learn far, far back
Small hands grip the chains tightly
Legs stretched out, toes pointed
There it is – the shift
A momentary pause
The gap
Forward and back, back and forth
Thrusting small chest forward
Tucking legs under
Streamlined position
Pushing, pushing
Pushing forward
To the end of an invisible arc
Back and forth, forward and back
Climbing higher, higher
Muscles straining, flexing, shifting
So, high, higher than the crossbar
A little jump, a bump
Momentary slackness in the chains
High enough
Forward and back, back and forth
Ease into the rhythm once more
Reaching for the tress
Leaves whispering wise words
Branches enfold me in a bark-covered embrace
Ancient sage to a novice
Communion on a swing
Back and forth, forward and back
Quiet, peaceful, serene
Gliding through the air
Comfort, warmth, love
Momentum slows, winding down
From an ecstatic interlude
Sh…..
Forward and back, back and forth
I am free, at least for now
Alone, on a beautiful day
Among the tall trees
Home amid the spikey green grass
And the fine brown dust below
My soul filled to over-flowing
Back and forth, forward and back
Don’t stop, not yet, not now
Begin again, another climb
To celebrate, to kiss the air
Hug the bark-skin of the tree
Offer thanks and love
A promise to return…tomorrow
Forward and back, back and forth
Muscles tighten, then release
Moving higher, higher
To the peak
I prepare, wiggle a bit
Shift of the shoulders
Fist the right, then the left
Back and forth, forward and back
Chains behind me now
Gulping in the spring-scented air
And fly…
Higher and higher
Toes pointed, arms outstretched
Landing – a perfect 10