How many hours did I spend as a child

Swinging at the park, at school,

At Grandmother's?

At the park, my brother and I pushed

The limits. Who could swing the highest?

Who would jump out the farthest?

Could we send our swing up and over?

At school we waited in lines to swing,

Recess was too short,  and some kids

Didn't play by the rules. I had a few skinned knees

Racing for the swings, trying to get there first.

My favorite swing was at Grandmother's.

It wasn't a swing at all.

It was a pepper tree. We hung from the branch,

Until our skinny arms gave out

Or someone had a better idea.

My cousins, my aunts, my brother, me.

Life was so simple when I had time

To go swinging. Is that why we have grandchildren

When we're older? To revel once again in

Swinging?