Side by Side

Two wooden swings tied with ropes

hang from the branches of an oak tree that

stands upon a grassy knoll

beneath skies warmed by

an orange glow from the sunset

just above the horizon of the ocean

far in the distance

past a seaside town and grand lighthouse

You swing on one seat

while I rock on the other

and in this way

we are here

side by side

together

An old breeze helps to push us

back and forth

while she tickles the leaves above

into a windchime harmony

accompanied by a quartet of doves

I want… to give you this gift of a simple idea

to make you smile for even a moment

away from all the storm clouds--

which you can pass along to others

For while you read this scene quietly

to yourself

. . . the two of us will swing

once again

reader and narrator

but when you read it aloud

to someone else--

such as a friend

or a family member

then the two of you

will share these swings

with you as the narrator

and her or him as the listener

Roles changed

like turns taken on swings

Opportunities to sail upwards

to taste salty sea air

to share an experience with others

to be safe

to be free...

. . . from one narrator

to the next