Swing
Some days my swing
is runway to the sky;
pointed toes touch the sun.
Let fierce dreams fly, until
a frenzied twisting of the rope
sends me spinning
off, in hope
of fresh new space.
But most of all, I love
the lazy crossing of the hemp,
scanning the horizon,
is time well spent.
Willow 2009
My 17-month-old son understands how you feel. He can home in on a "wee" anywhere.
ReplyDeleteI love this - the twists and turns of life.....
ReplyDeleteThat's delightful--perhaps my favorite of the ones you've posted so far!
ReplyDeleteif you had read this poem out loud to me, i could have closed my eyes and envisioned a whole world of big sky and clouds and a far-off dreamy horizon -- all seen from the perch of my swing. it is a mark of a great poet if the words elicit images and sentiments. this one did both for me, willow! very well done!
ReplyDeleteI like.
ReplyDeletei love this!
ReplyDeleteA perfect place to just "stop," on the swing of your verse. Lovely visual.
ReplyDeleteI can just see those toes pointed towards the sun. Wheeeee. Are they painted toenails? If so, I'll bet they are the colors of a rainbow.
ReplyDeleteI love poems! You should join me on my rhyming wednesday.
ReplyDeleteYou are a brilliant poet! I love the images you create...the runway to the sky...toes touching the sun...this is perfect!!! I'm in awe of your poetry. ~Janine XO
ReplyDeleteLove this poem! My husband recently made a simple swing with my nephew, just posted a pic, may I post your poem?
ReplyDelete"Some days..." that's the tone of the poem, the reverie, the nostalgia of times gone.
ReplyDeleteAre you the Willow who knows Port Orford? What a small world! The place is as small as it was when you knew it.
Very nice!
ReplyDeleteI remember loving to twist the ropes and them squealing as they untwisted.
I agree with Julie...I too am a visual person and your poem took me to the swings...thanks I needed the ride!
ReplyDeleteYou caught it. Sometimes nothing else needs to be said.
ReplyDeleteI love this poem A LOT. I am doing a standing ovation here!
ReplyDelete(I also like the picture from Pride and Prejudice...I must confess that I fell in love with Mr. Darcy all over again with that movie.)
Willow---This is a great poem, filled with wonderful sentiment and feeling. I think that is what I like in poems that touch me: the fact that I could put myself in the place of the poet and "see" what he/she is seeing. I am interested in your "copyscape" thing. How does it work? How did you post it? Where do you find it and how does it work? Thanks for all your dedication to perfecting your blog and sitting at your desk, writing, and sharing with us.
ReplyDeleteamazing. i was there...
ReplyDeleteperfect pic too...
happy TT!
I love this poem Willow! It really expresses those feelings so vividly.
ReplyDeleteAnd the last one is my favourite too - time scanning the horizon.
me too!
ReplyDeleteLakeviewer, sorry, but, no, I don't know Port Orford. Must be another Willow! :^)
ReplyDeleteTeri, just click on it and it will take you to the website.
ReplyDeleteAnother gem, Willow! I love the image you selected to accompany this poem, too. Well done! Keep 'em coming!
ReplyDeleteI haven't thought about the delights of swinging in such a long time...you conjured up a wonderful memory. More, more.
ReplyDeleteI love this!!! Delightful!
ReplyDeleteBravo Willow! I like the part about the "frenzied twisting"( tho' our swings at play-ground use chains instead o' ropes ). And 'tis indeed, time well spent :)
ReplyDeleteLOVELY.
ReplyDeleteDitto - all
ReplyDelete...loving your poetry!
ReplyDeleteI'm feeling it, too. You can almost taste the sky. A great metaphor to life. I especially love the second stanza. Speaks to the adventurous spirits. Bravo!
ReplyDeleteHow lovely! I enjoy the 'runway to the sky' image x
ReplyDelete"...I love the lazy crossing of the hemp." I adore that line.
ReplyDelete'I love the lazy crossing of the hemp, scanning the horizon,'
ReplyDeleteAhhh... what a fine line that is! many thanks for another fantastic poem.
Greetings from London.
Yes...that one swings...
ReplyDeleteMIss Willow,
ReplyDeleteSwing....
Until the end of the blue sky
Make our toe touch the cool of the blue
Perhaps tear drop end
Let our soul far and away
From dark life today
Hello Willow,
ReplyDeleteLovely poem. I wonder if you do still enjoy those innocent pleasures in this world so different to Miss Bennett's?
me likie !
ReplyDeletexx
All I can say is that this poem is very joyful. Brings back the feeling of swinging as a child.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing this with us. And I like the picture too. She looks so gorgeous sitting on the swing. Also wistful.
I also would like to ask what is a copyscape? I would click it on but not sure which one it is. I feel so uneducated with computer things sometimes, but the only way to learn is to ask. Hope it is okay.
God bless.
Poetry was once defined as "What's oft been thought but ne'er do well expresst" Pope I think.
ReplyDeleteSort of sums it up.
A lovely poem.
Beautifully portrayed...and it's exactly how I feel on me ol' porch swing...s
ReplyDeleteTime well spent includes reading your blog. It's always good, every day. Wow, I salute you!
ReplyDeleteI'm with John; this is my favourite so far. I loved the "frezied twisting of the rope" image. Damn! You're good!
ReplyDeleteKat
Very pretty poem. I love swings!
ReplyDeletewonderful!
ReplyDeleteyour poem reminds me of how much I love those thick rope swings - and the pleasure in twisting them up, then laying back and chilling while the rope and I rewind!
super good... and brings back memories of a simpler time.
ReplyDeleteFantastic! Took me right back to my days of tree swinging and sky gazing.
ReplyDeleteLovely poem, Willow!
ReplyDelete......... (me, going to look for a swing)
Beautiful. Feeling free must be in the air! I wrote about bike riding today. Very odd.
ReplyDeleteHigher .. higher... and then JUMP .. and make sure the swing doesnt crack your head open .. that was my idea of swinging .. lets just say Mom was not amused and I was very lucky
ReplyDeleteBeautiful poem - so lighthearted and happy! I love that movie also - Keira Knightley is wonderful in it. I loved that swing!
ReplyDeleteI'm with Julie...hearing this with my eyes closed I could be there on that swing! And even feel that tickle in your stomach when you go really high! Beautiful!
ReplyDeletehow sweet! and poingnant(sp?)
ReplyDeleteVery nice, just wonderful.
ReplyDeletegreat poem. I like it. thanks for share. See you on my blog. I hope we can share information.
ReplyDeleteI love your poetry.
ReplyDeleteThere's a touch of Robert Louis Stevenson about this, both in tone and execution. It's a little like a wholly unjustified outtake from 'A Child's Garden of Verses'!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful poem willow.
ReplyDeleteSo Near The Truth I,m Feeling Dizzy!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWillow, your poem brought back something I had forgotten - that dizzy feeling that comes of twisting and twisting in a swing until the ropes are wound tight, then letting go - oh, what a thrill - Funny that I remembered swinging so clearly, but forgot that. Lovely poem.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful reminder of a lovely time on a swing. It's been way too long for me.
ReplyDeleteWillow: Do you know High Desert Diva? I have seen you link with her before. The last couple of weeks I have tried to visit her blog but the posts don't show. Just side bar stuff. Has anyone else had a problem?
ReplyDeleteRonda, no probs with HDD on my end!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your response. I'm not sure what is wrong but will keep trying to access her blog.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful words, Willow! And a great photo to go with, as ususal! I think the girl looks like Keira Knightley.
ReplyDeleteWonderful! I just love this one. Definitely moves into top spot!
ReplyDeleteVery nice and love the shot from P&P, that's just about my fave part in that wonderful movie, as the seasons change.
ReplyDeleteDo you have a swing, Willow? Or is this just a lovely metaphor?
ReplyDeleteI know that scene from P & P so well, but it makes me feel awfully melancholy. She twists round and round because she is trapped.
"the lazy crossing of the hemp"
ReplyDeleteI love that!
This swing of life is one of my favorite poems of yours!
Time well spent ... indeed.
ReplyDelete(pardon me while I gather my
balance- perhaps a bit too much
spinning)
The Stevenson comparison was entirely a compliment, Willow. 'Garden of Verses' was my first serious encounter with poetry and it remains a favourite all these long years on.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous poem. my heart melted as I read this. Very well done, Willow! And lovey picture to boot. Love that movie so much. ...BTW, love your new profile avatar I saw on a recent comment of yours. Nice!
ReplyDeleteVery nice. I actually feel more relaxed after reading that.
ReplyDeletePretty poem but that woman needs a decent feed!
ReplyDeleteSuddenly I was 5 again, and dreaming and plotting in a swing.
ReplyDeleteExcelllent wordsmithing!
The girl in the photo looks so sad...
ReplyDeleteVery lovely poem, Willow.
ReplyDeleteCatherine
I really love this poem Willow
ReplyDeleteHi! Willow,
ReplyDeleteAhh! I can just picture it!..."swinging"...What a "lovely" poem!
Thanks, for sharing!
DeeDee ;-D
But most of all, I love: "....the lazy crossing of the hemp,
ReplyDeletescanning the horizon,
is time well spent."
Only just seen this. The third stanza is the most beautifully arresting and thought-provoking for me. The second line describes perfectly the suspension of normal time and space - a languid, detached moment. I haven't been on a swing for years but I can almost feel the sensation of twisting and panning;it's like nothing else. I'll carry it with me as rescue line. And I like the half rhyme in hemp and spent.
Magnifique!!Bravo!Love it!
ReplyDeletelovely.
ReplyDeleteseems like you enjoy the swing a lot! :D
Hey. Thanks for the tip. I'm glad I didn't miss that one. Memories put on paper with a lyrical quality and in your case a little twist. Pappy
ReplyDeletesuch beautiful poetry that describes passion and beauty. love the way it ran through my veins felt chills. hello!! I want to introduce myself. My name is Magaly Ohika at the itsy bitsy spill. Love your blog!!
ReplyDelete