Swings

I was someone else once---a distant swing set pilot
gaining momentum and kicking out towards the treetops
yelling “Geronimo!”
roaring through the air and landing with a thud.
Each time laughing as the ground disappeared beneath my sneakers
defying the clutched chains and knotted ropes
that always tried to pull me back to earth.
Parachutes were for suckers.

My feet are firmly planted now,
and I gave up my pilot’s license for duel-front and side-impact airbags.
But sometimes, when no one else is looking,
I still spin around in my office chair.
-2007