I’ve been a bit worried the past few days as the inspiration seemed to dry up. It simply took a break. I believe I am now back on track with the challenge.
Walk Softly
It feels safe and natural and easy
And yet past experience has shown me
There are landmines in the most manicured of lawns.
Lawns edged with daisies and peonies
Lawns where garden gnomes are forbidden
Because the housing association says so.
My lawn has a flock of pink flamingos, twelve in all
Some days they stand in a circle and do the hokey-pokey
Other days they form a line and do a conga around the swing set, taking turns having the lead.
Yes, I’ve still got a swing set
It’s white with candy stripes, two swings, a teeter-totter and a slide
The teeter-totter is lonely; I’m partial to the swing.
I pump myself higher and higher,
My toes stretching to the sky,
Trying to get the courage to leap.
When I do, there’s a moment where time stands still…
My feet are arcing out, my body following, my breath suspended,
With my heightened senses I can hear…
The bees buzzing around the lilac tree,
My Mom through the kitchen window, on the phone with her best friend June,
And in the distance, the hum of cars starting to warm up on the Speedway,
And then I hit the ground feet first.
Every time I jump, I am nervous, despite having jumped numerous times before,
I love the feeling of it, the exhilaration, the wind rushing in my hair,
The sense of accomplishment when I land,
I’m good at it, but it still makes me nervous.
Even when it feels right, it feels natural, it feels easy,
Especially then, because past experience has shown me
There are landmines in even the most manicured of lawns.
