For Barb and Kathy

on an old green swingset, new to us,

we launched ourselves so high in the sky

It threatened to tip us backward in the grass

we would fling ourselves towards the sun

competing who could fly the furthest

I used to win a lot

maybe, it was because I did not fear the landing

or maybe, it brought you joy to let me win

now we fear the flying and the landing

broken bones and bruises

and the possibility

we may never heal or fly, again

2-7-25