Stopping by the Park on a Springtime Afternoon

I hadn’t swung on a swing in years,

but today at the park I swang on a swing 

in a kid-sized strappy seat that crimped my hips

a flash of uncertainty, then second nature

 

to make the swing swing:

the lean back, the pull on the chains

legs straight out front showing me my shoe-tops

toes pointing up to the sky

and I saw the mountains go up, down, up

and the treetops rise, drop, rise, drop

beyond the long green lawn

and forward and back

and I was five 

with my dad giving pushes 

and I felt the feel of comforting confidence

as pushes became taps 

and as each touch got lighter, so did I.

Jeanosullivan 5/29/2026