Thoughts

s w i n g s e t s

Swing-sets represent childhood. They represent broken bones, scraped knees and elbows. They also represent getting smashed in the face unexpectedly during your first year of school (long story). They represent a world that many of us barely left a few years ago. Of course, we still visit them. We play on them again, acting out our tiresome roles as children who never grew up. Memories come flashing back, like a kick in the face by an idiot while on the swing bc you weren't paying attention. You remember the laughter you had on your particular swing-set, or a school one, or a community one. When you finally get above the top of the set, you feel free. The air glides through your hair, whipping your face. You feel as though you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. Your stomach twists and turns as you go back down. You see the sunset go away, then come closer. You can almost touch the infinite sky, willing it to give in. But as you go down, you feel a plummeting sensation go through your body, as if you're falling into an abyss. You know that life is complicated. You wonder about a million things at once. You remember the person you liked, the person you hated, the person you always wanted to talk to. These crowd your mind, but you go right on up again. You know you have to leave soon. You know you have to go back home to someone or no one. "Just a little longer!" You cry out to someone. You get down, but always visit. Some of us leave out childhood and forget it, blocking it out. Some of us stay there, too afraid of the unknown abyss. Yet, there's also those who just visit, never willing to let go their past, but not willing to let go of their future. Even though I got kicked in the face while I was by the swings, I always visit. What do you do?
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a.n.: also written 3 years ago. enjoy.