You pushed the swing hard that day. I thought the child
would fly straight off and land in the chestnut tree, but the child just
giggled and yelled, “Higher! Higher!”
You obliged.
I swear the swing was going to twirl around the bar and
cause the child to get as tangled as a twisted necklace, but the swing swung
hard and high...hard and high...the chain-joints creaking like battered ancient
knees yet holding steady to its rocking course.
Nothing terrible happened. The child—braids bobbing, legs
pumping, face tipped to the sky, smile splitting the sweet face from one side
to the other—squealed with delight at every repeating apex.
Still the child screamed, “Higher! Higher!” Like most kids,
it was never high enough.
You smiled and you pushed and the swing flew and the child
giggled.
“I’m flying!” she cried, pigtails soaring.
You looked over at me with a grin and I smiled. Yes, it
could only be our child tempting fate, the heavens, and the old swing set.
ktn © 2011
30 comments:
Hi Talon .. brings back memories of swing pushing .. love the photo .. wonderful potential descriptions .. twisted necklace .. such fun with the future ahead .. how high will we fly in life .. good story - thanks Hilary
You recall a PERFECT memory Talon..
Thank You....G
beautiful, I can feel it, such freedom does bring its own fear, bravo Talon
smiles. a lovely thing...we used to swing so high...my boys def got it as well...great feel to this...
the kids at our old school played the trick who could jump off the swing the furthest, I was recess monitor, I just turned my back when they attempted it, you can't be strict ALL the time on a school playground, sometimes lifes greatest memories (is a broken arm) no one got hurt though.
Your words brought a lot of memories to the surface. The line "the swing swung hard and high...hard and high.." is the perfect image for the rhythm of a backyard swing.
We have a big swing at our house; the frame made of welded pipe is a gift to our children from my dad. We've gone through a lot of rope and tire seats. Now it's a favorite for a new generation. A swing is the next best thing to flying.
I used to love to swing like that - they had these wonderful big swings at the park. (I see you found your photo.) Great story.
Love the story, but it made me remember when I did go flying!
Ah memories of swings, long gone.
I love this. It makes me want to go to the park and soar high into the skies!
Talon, this is a lovely story!
And, I still love to swing and do often with the kids I'm nanny to!
They love going high as they can.
:ovely full Moon header!
Weee-! I remembern all those years pumping away n flying along at the park. I still have a 4 yr old Grandson who hasn't learned to do without the pushing yet. Feels dangerous n exhilerating- we're producing many an adrenalyn junkies...
I did feel like I was swinging reading this-
What a magical way to describe a fabulous ride on a swing. Your words are playful and makes me feel the child within stirring and wanting to find a swing set.
All the joys and fears of parenthood here--and children are fearless indeed, as they should be when they have adults who love them standing by. This is a very tight and charming story, Talon, and a gorgeous full moon shot as well.
What? There is only one seat left on that swing set. two arms means two people can be pushed higher!
A swinging time brings lots of memories.A child by nature would want to achieve higher and better. As long as we are there to ensure nothing untoward happens.
Our new neighbors just 2 blocks down just had a swing installed in their huge tree - I never see the child at home so I hope it will give me a glimpse of the person who would like to "fly - higher"
I used to so love to swing
I can't swing like I used to, get a bit dizzy and sick to my stomach, but in my day I could rattle those old chains like the best of them. Once I even swung up and around to China. :)
xoxo
Oh, how I related to this! Lovely, Talon!
I remember flying:)
I love the memory of a happy time, swinging high and free. The black and white picture reminds me of a flashback - a time remembered.
you captured the individual emotions perfectly. mother, father and the child- loved it. :)
The only attempt at swing that I remember was an utter and dismal failure! I never understood the joy of swinging but maybe I do now! :)
That's a great memory and, like Hilary said, brings back lots of memories. We had a swing set in my yard and I loved. I did, however, take some tumbles from over-estimating my height and bailing out:~)
Lovely writing, as usual!
Hey Talon. Nicely done. Also a really terrific moon shot that I appreciate!
lg (hugs)
:-)
Ahhh... the memories, thanks K!
__1950. My swing was a pipe resting in the limb crotches of two adjacent maple trees. From that pipe, hung two parallel ropes and a board.I liked the summer night's swing time in the Berkshire Foothills, Maw and Paw... sitting on the porch nearby.
ropes squeek
the swing climbs higher
counting stars
_m
shared pride
Aloha from Waikiki;
Comfort Spiral
> < } } ( ° >
That's a beautiful story.
I love swings :)
Please excuse the fact that I drop by only rarely these days (all the travelling and I moved and have no internet connection in my new flat yet...)
I miss our old swingset. So many memories - including the day when either we both grew too big to enable me to do a "run under" push - which always got the child the highest. Thanks for the smiles.
I don't know why I teared up when I read this..I think because when I was young, no one has ever encouraged me to "fly higher", but instead discouraged me from "swinging at all". The concept of soaring with freedom was unknown to me. Thank you for sharing this reflection!
Post a Comment