I Would Have Given You My Swing

I Would Have Given You My Swing

 

Had we played on the same playground
l would have given you my swing.
l would have chased you down
till you could run no more,
for just a kiss
the slightest touch.

I would have captured fireflies in a mayonnaise jar
perhaps a monarch butterfly, or two
and carved the words, “l love you”
in the bark of a sycamore tree,
for all to  see.

For just a smile,
the slightest touch…

l would have given you my swing.

 

 

 

photography by Mecuro B. Cotto

 

 

Reviews

[dan]

Kelly, First of all I wanted to say that I agree with jacob; when I saw the pic I immediately thought of "The Ring." Which rhymes with swing(?). Now to the poem itself. I have always loved any write that takes me back to the time when I was young, carving initials in tree bark and catching lightning bugs in a jar with holes in the lid. You take that feeling and work it into a poem that resonates with "first crush." A very well written piece that rings the 'reminiscence bell' in my head. Beautiful! take care...dan

[Kelly Scheppers]

For some reason, you remind me of the little boy that got away from so many little girls!! Lol, thank you, Dan!

[dan]

Oh, they were chasing me alright, but they were actually chasing me AWAY! I was a little brat, a scrawny little peckerhead. Now look how I turned out: not so scrawny, still a BRAT! take care...dan

[jacob erin-cilberto]

love the picture this paints...in words....and the photo is haunting...reminds me of "the Ring" in a way.

i would lend you the mayonaise jar...i am almost through with the one i have now, and it is one of those large size ones...more room for the butterflies.

j.

[Kelly Scheppers]

...yes, the mayonnaise jars were a lot fatter than the mason jars. I still remember poking my holes in the lid! Thank you, Jacob.

[....................]

Oh, to be given a swing and to have my initials lovingly carved into the bark of any tree... such wonderful memories of youth have taken me back to the days when we built swings from the trees whose bark still carry the remnants of our etches. Your words and photo (as always) open the flood gate of thoughts and I am left gazing into a past well remembered. Thanks for sharing this, Kelly... there's a swing on a tree in a garden of my youth, you can have it :) ... FT

[Kelly Scheppers]

...how wonderful of you to offer. I'll trade you a butterfly for a swing, how's that? Thank you, Thomas!

[....................]

Sounds like a perfect trade :), you are welcome, Kelly!

[Lydia Shutter]

WOW....don't know if you are on Facebook, but this is certainly a "Thowback Thursday" kind of write! You brought me back to my childhood with this one, Kelly. We still remember the one who got away...the one for whom we would have done anything...including giving him the swing. Love this one.....really one of your best. Lydi**

[Kelly Scheppers]

I wrote it five years ago, and decided to bring it to light at THIS Cafe! I am thrilled you enjoyed it, Lydi, thank you!

[Einstein Noodle]

gorgeous ... love the pic ... gives me that strange tingling sensation in the first chakra .. like when one peers over the rail to three stories below ;) who would ever know how spectacular the offer of a swing could mean so much .. beautiful Kelly!
E.

[Kelly Scheppers]

I've had the poem, but just came across the photo last night. I thought there was something haunting about it, just like Jacob said. I like the thought of the girl's feet being in the clouds...sort of like the feeling you get when you swing really high! Thank you so much, E!

[Alfred Kukitz]

The sweetness of your melody, a cajoled little girl song where is this boy who could be swinging on a star?

Regards,
Al

[Kelly Scheppers]

"...swinging on a star". Thank you for such an endearing remark, Alfred! x

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Very, deliciously sweet and so deep with loving sentiment Kelly.

[Kelly Scheppers]

I still love swinging...on a swing! ; ) ...thanks, John!

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Glad you cleared that one up! I would never have taken it the wrong way though as you are far too driven by love and romance.

[Kelly Scheppers]

...you liked that, huh?

[R Smith]

This is a great love poem Kelly, I like the youthful feel of the writing that leads onto the more mature feel of being told from a memory gone by, I'd take that swing any day :)

[Kelly Scheppers]

...aww, how sweet of you, Richard! ..thank you, darlin!

[andrew mitchell]

I love the sweet feel of this poem, really is so warm and touching.Its the innocence of this piece which comes out I think and just hugs you. My favourite of your many! :):)

[Kelly Scheppers]

It's a memory I knew so many could relate to...thank you, Andrew.

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Kelly... I remember this feeling
in grade school... lest we forget how
our grandchildren feel. We are romantic
beings and G-d has given you a gift for
expressing love in poetry. truly... Pat

[Kelly Scheppers]

I wish I had one of those old trees in my backyard, with a swing on it...they were the best, weren't they? Thank you, Pat!