Mind's Tales

Swing

I used to be able to

Swing by myself.

As I grew up I met people who

Would give me a helpful push

Now and again.

They never stayed long.

They had their own lives,

Their own family and friends.

I was just a temporary thing,

A distracting,

But perhaps not unpleasant,

Bump in the road.

Perhaps I served as the wakeful jolt

That saved them from steering

Off the road in their sleep.

Whatever purpose I served,

I served it,

And they moved on.

I don't hold it against them.

Their temporary presence taught me

That I need to be able to

Swing by myself.

Then you came along,

And slowly things changed.

I knew that you would not stay,

That yours too would be a

Temporary presence.

Still, you somehow convinced me

That you would stay.

Though you and I both knew better.

You told me yourself

That your dreams

Would take you far from here.

Far from me.

But while you were here,

You pushed me.

Kept me swinging when I felt

Too weary to do so myself.

Then, as time passed,

I came to rely more and more

On your pushes,

Your presence.

Now I have forgotten how to

Swing by myself.

Now your dreams are

Barely a breath away.

Soon you'll be gone chasing after them,

And I will be left alone to

Relearn how to

Swing by myself.

My Wise best friend,

You have helped me remember so much,

While somehow making me forget

What once was so important.

I do not remember how to

Swing by myself.

Yet, despite the loss of this

Once vital skill,

I cannot bring myself to mourn it.

The time I had with you was well worth it,

And I feel that I shall miss you,

My Wise best friend,

More than I miss the ability to

Swing by myself.

Mon meilleur ami sage,

Au Revoir.