Four boys and a hectic business
Our lives bounce and swirl like a white water raft
pitching, and heaving until,
stopped and swirling round in an eddy
to be shot down the next torrent.
Sometimes too frantic to savor the trip,
time to slow down and check out the view
and remember how the we was made out of two
distant memories of a time without you
pale against our library of years of shared love
but like a time worp our trip together seems very quick,
wasn't it just yesterday we pushed off our raft
hoping we created a sturdy and flexible craft
our ship had to grow with every new J
But together we always did find a way
Together !
MiNN's Hubby©

16.

And Jamie Carlson challenged me
To ride the rope swing above the Iowa River.

Trembling and talking tough.
I climbed the sickly elm tree
And clutched the rope sticky with the perspiration
of other nervous jumpers' hands.

I swung from the tree.
Released.
And in the moment between air and water
Between Birth and death
Where we are led to believe
One can see in a flash the life lived,
I saw instead
The live to be endured.

A life of little love
And much loss
And dying of cancer born of bitterness at fifty five.
A funeral attended by a sullen nephew
And two callous co-workers.

I scrambled out onto the bank, and vomited.
Jamie Carlson told people that I had almost drowned.

No.
I had.
W.H.©

Swinging toward the heavens
On a slender thread of life
Passing over tranquil waters
Leaving life's toil and strife

Passing over waters so calm
Ripples sliding of the wind born
Sailing the surface never ending
Never touching so sad and forlorn

The sun that casts shadows
Bringing life to the ripples past
Illuminating my life as it has been
From beginning to now but never the last

For as I look ahead to the darkness
On the ripples lifeless shadowed side
I see my life's future as it is to come
The happiness born in life choosing to hide

As I swing high near the end of flight
On the slender thread of life at last
Up to the heavens but one shining glimpse
My life pulls and I must return to my past

As I fall into the darkness of life to be
Into the shadowed sunless ripples of fate
I know once again in darkness I shall live
For as in life I've once again let go to late
RJCLN©

The water's cold, and I'm too old
To do this sort of thing:
Jumping off a hanging rope
Into a freezing spring.

But you have so affected me,
There's nothing I won't do.
If you will only talk to me,
I want to talk to you.

I have proved my love for you
In many different ways.
And you know that I look to you
To brighten up my days.

If jumping in this water deep,
Is what you have in mind:
Although I cannot swim a stroke,
The courage, I will find.
Peter Jones©

Looking at Minn's jump,
I can't help but think
of all of life's leaps,
and how often we sink.

Should I do more,
or should I do less?
I've questioned myself
a million times, at best.

Most often unsure
are the chances we take,
and many a time
we find only heartache.

Well worth the risk
is the leap I now ponder,
for if I don't jump,
all my life I will wonder.
blushin©

Daredevil bullies taunted him,
''C'mon you chicken. Jump!''
He wouldn't cry, he swallowed fear,
His throat a panicked lump.

He grabbed the rope with sweaty palms
And shuffled back his feet.
His deaf ears pounded time in synch
To his heart's thunderous beat.

He clamped his eyes as he hurtled forth,
Garnered each ounce of brash.
Brazen excitement glistened his face
As he landed with a splash.
Kathy K©

Calm and cool in the summer heat
The water calls invitingly
Running over hot ground with bare feet
I grab the rope hanging from the tree
Swinging out with all my might
High above the lake below
I release my grip at the peak of flight
Free falling into the water I go
The splash created washes the shore
As I climb out to fly once more
Shadow Whysper©

I can recall the days of summer
when I was in high school
Line Crick, Alabama where
we could act the fool

Swinging from a sturdy rope
then fly right through the air
And land into the cooling stream
aaahhh!!!! Those days without a care!

But the summer of graduation
when we thought we would be free
To plan our futures as adults
we learned how things could be

One of us had plans so grand
a future Broadway star
He drowned that summer in the crick
Willie didn't make it very far

That day we all reviewed our dreams
and wondered how things would be
Life's lessons could be very hard
if we didn't learn to see
emmarie©

In the joys of my youth
In the play of my day
I had no vision
Of what was ahead

And I played
I played

I can't go back
I won't look back
I will forge ahead

I’ll swing upon
That tenuous vine
Of Living
And thrill at the thought
Of what might lie
Below
When once I let go
Weaver©

I remember the days
that we spent at the lake
two brothers hanging out
and the things he'd say.

''Mom and dad are outa town
and they'll never know
they won't see ya swinging
and jumping from that rope''.

I thought if I run
and dart real fast
I could swing from the rope
and make a big splash.

''Little sister ain't around
so just trust me
she won't ever tell
about what she can't see''.

But on my way to the rope
I tripped on a branch
I went head over heels
and got a hole in my pants.

''Mom and dad will be home soon
it's half past two
you know I think little brother
they're gonna kill you''.
dawg_isblue©

To look back at who we were, and what we once had.......
Gives me clarity, of what now has changed the mind...
To laugh at the simple ways, and not see all the bad....
That was then, where happiness we could find....

There are times now, that I am lost......
Confused, and caught in a trap.....
Why did things change, we had it all at our cost...
Or was it us, that changed, and not the cap.....

Instead of building bridges to each other we built a wall.....
We must share if we want to keep that blessing from above....
Now when we try to get back to each other all we do is fall....
Ceasing to give, we cease to have, such is the law of love...

How many smiles from day to day, I've missed along the way....
How many kindly words I've lost, what joy has my indifference cost....
This glorious friend that I now know, Would have been friendly years ago....
I miss you my old friend, from deep down in my soul......
Life Warrior©

Hey everybody
look at me
as I swing on the rope
from out of the tree

Screams of youthful joy
and pure delight
as I release the rope
and momentarily take flight

Fly through the air
with the greatest of ease
gravity broken for an instant
in midair I freeze

My heart pounds wildly
as I anticipate a watery crash
I enter gleefully
with a momentous splash

Pop to the surface
a grin on my face
swim fast as I can
to again take my place

Impatiently wait
there on the shore
until its my turn
to fly once more
Riverrun_7©

As I'm swinging from this rope
I look down into the water with such hope.
Wondering, ''what am I doing up here?''
Oh good Lord why didn't I stay on the pier?

Just remembering I never learned to swim
Hope this rope is tied to the biggest limb.
Oh! MiNN why did I let ya talk me into this?
I always seem to get into the biggest mess.

Glancing back to see if anyone notices me.
I try to figure out a way to get back in this tree.
Oh! Oh! My hands are slipping.
I think Im going for a deep water dipping.

Down I go with fear in my eyes.
I start to pray and say my good byes.
I hit the water with a great big boom.
Everyone looked around thinking it was a typhoon.

I got water up my nose and in my mouth.
It seems now Im going down for the count.
All of a sudden I see bright sunlight.
I'm fighting for air with all my might.

''Stop fighting'' says several manly voices.
As I lie on the ground thinking of no other choices.
Opening my eyes I look up and see.
All these hunks looking down at me.

From now on I should stay on land,
but...............
WOW!!! What a way to meet a man.
Angel-In2thnite©

an eye peeled on
this situation
contemplation
or is it apprehension
the kids run, grab
take rope in hand
swiftly they snatch
then swing
lightheartedly
make a splash
swim to shore
then return to line
they dash
absentmindedly
I reach for the rope
an uncomplicated
 task
glide over the edge
simply let go
the sparkling water
will shortly splash
heart knocks against
my chest
shivers over run me now
full of fear
soundless screams
echo
oh why am I doing this
what do I expect to prove
my hands slip
lose their grasp
I feel myself in a fall
figures its me
back on the grass
to a loud applause
MiNN1©

Coolness of the water on a hot summer day.
Swinging from this tree,
without so much as a care.
Frolicking with friends,
just having fun.
Enjoy these summer days of
beauty, fun, and love.
 These times are fleeting.
So grab a hold of them,
and hold them tight,
cherish them within your heart,
and with those you love.
Memories like these,
are forever cherished.......
Scotts_Angel©

The boys swing out across the lake
in wild and joyful glee
no daring chance they would not take
when splashing merrily

I sit alone upon the bank
no joy is left for me
I have only myself to thank
for what has come to be

When I recall my budding youth
the years I threw away
stand face to face with naked truth
my blue sky turns to gray

At age thirteen I was streetwise
at fifteen I was jailed
at seventeen to my demise
my ship of fools had sailed

No education did I have
and when they let me out
no cure-all pill no magic salve
full turn and turn about

Odd jobs I do for little pay
while goodwill clothes I wear
watching the children as they play
wishing that I was there
Sir_Sun©

Those were the good old days of exploring.
We thought they would never end.
GrandPa's farm hugged the waters edge of the Lake.
Closest one could get to Heaven here on Earth.

Summer days were mirroring.
Bob, Ted and Me, the three Musketeers.
Real blood brothers with a cause were we.
The youth of our lives consumed by the Lady of the Lake.

In our hearts we knew we were brave men tried and true.
Fearlessly exploring the depths of the Lake and the breadth of the shores.
Fighting Pirates, dodging canoeing Indian's flaming arrows.
Each day we faced new youthful trials and tribulations.

Great ships we sailed on the high Seas on OUR Lake.
Setting sail - uncharted waters, landing on unexplored shores.
Cannibals there to greet us, Loch Ness Monsters reappearing.
Our flag proudly planted upon the Lady's unclaimed shores.

We three all mighty explorers, loved the Lady, our discovering universe.
Each day of summer brought us closer to the "Right of Passage".
Strengthening our Spirits, enhancing our developing Souls.
Today we three stand Tall, for this we thank most of all our Lady of the Lake.
LongLeggedTxn©

I'm hanging my lip for summers over
Ending my hunt for four-leaf clover
School calls but I don't wanta go
Facing a teacher is the final blow.

 New clothes for the first day of blues
I wanted sneakers instead of new shoes
Pants so stiff and fading on me
Happiness if they bend at the knee.

Newly sharpened pencils all in a pack
Scratching tools for the middle of the back
A ton of paper for homework to note
Make kewl spit balls aimed at the the throat.

Mama says I got to work hard
Even be nice to the crossing guard
Mama is tripping again in the zone
She really likes to moan and groan.

Mama so happy she grins as I leave
I drag my feet and proceed to grieve
Off in a distance I hear the bell
Now I'm caught nine months in hell!!!
Redd1st©

Suspended...
frozen time and deed
Struggle...
fulfill the wants and need
Reality...
deserts us now in thought
Remembrance...
what past decisions wrought
Fantasy...
fills our nights with dreams
Awaken...
justification's schemes
Passion...
screaming through the night
Calm...
restored with morning's light
Error...
caught ourselves again
Fear...
results that might have been
Desire...
ne'er to feel the loss
Dreams...
sometimes too high the cost
Love...
to guide our every step
Promise...
sought....
well kept
Linda2001©

It was July, the day was hot
something to cool me was what I sought,
So as I walked through the woods that day,
I looked for comfort to take me away,

The lake looked inviting and was just what I needed
Take off your clothes, the water called and pleaded,
So I looked around and no one I saw,
Ripped off my dress and stood in the raw

Into the lake I took a leap
Diving down into the deep
Back to the days of my childhood
In the lake naked I stood

A voice woke me from there on the bank
Leaving my mind reeling, purple and blank
Didn't mean to intrude on all you fun
But don't you think you're getting too much sun?
He smiled at me with a big grin
Then next thing I knew he asked to come in.

What could I say as the took off his shoes
This man would be naked this I certainly knew
In he jumped from that old tire swing
I did all I could not to look at his thing
So there we were as naked as could be
Wondering what the other did see
You look lovely Miss D the words that he said
I bet my face was blushing and red

So the problem wasn't right in this lake
It was how to distract and my big break
There was no way coming up soon
So I guess I will just shoot the moon....
MissDebbie99©

Adrift upon my memories shore
Lost within a tumultuous abyss.
Here my childhood lingers, shutter-framed
Yet so distant from whom I am today.

In lavish darkness my mind wades.
I wonder about the mystery of life:
 It’s a gentle longing to find the answer.
The innocent fun found in discovery
Is all but forgotten.

A childhood past clings to my heart
Days spent on the tranquil lake
At old Potter’s farm.
Sunlight and Tarzan yells
Fill the noonday air as I swung
From the frayed, twine rope.

Amazing that those moments
Come back to you so vibrantly
When an adult is child at their core
Fun, innocent and carefree – was that I?
Lillyofthevalley©

A child of sinew and awkward stance
watches from the shore his brothers dance
in awe his eyes drink in the sight
as brother swings out, holding rope tight
Each moment is snapped, within the cameras mind
as younger one peers at older ones kind
A child not yet tried, he waits his turn
outside he laughs, inside he churns
idolizing sibling he longs to be
cannot relinquish the quiver in his knees
as brother releases and soars a perfect arc
sun reflecting arms and legs waters part
his turn is now as fingers grip tight
its now or never as within he fights the fight
yet as his courage overcomes his fear
he glances to shore, a younger brother stands near
A child of sinew and awkward stance
watches in awe his brothers dance.
Kristin©

my life is so full of God's creations and I smile at my fortune
how blessed I am and how could I ever want for more
I look into the mirrors of my life... those parts I can never see through
and suddenly, I am a child again staring at my reflection

the glazed waters below reflect back a pair of eyes so full of life's promise
emotions I rely on so much in my world.. love, laughter, excitement
yet stagnate so deep within I see many unshed tears

the dark waters below call to them to fall and join the ripple effect
do I surrender and let my tears become lost in the pools of wetness
or do I stay in my perfect little world and wait for you
for that silent strong hand that can lead me through my doubts

I smile... I laugh... I take a running start and grab hold of my fears
letting go I enter your world and all the beauty that surrounds it
I will disrupt these dark waters that dare to give me doubt
...dampen my spirit and try to drown my visions

I step out and again live in my perfect little world
so full of life and love, and a promise of reality
keriblue©

Dark temples of the night
Warmly lit by demonic light
As they gather – spilling chatter
Screaming and shouting
The words of their master
Long since forgotten
The joys of laughter
As their souls no longer free
Lived shackled to broken dreams
Whilst they play their role
In this eternal deceit
Casting a virgin child
To the temple
To bleed
Embracing
Such memories
Grotesquely
Filled with agony
They all continue
To chatter
Long after the virgin
Has slipped beyond sleep
And the reach
Of their master
Until they to wake
One night
Or one morning
Only to find
There is no light glowing
But a fire
And a piercing pain
Swelling.
Night Scribe©

It was a hot afternoon and I watched
The kids in the distance
They jumped  and laughed and
They screamed in delight
As they played in the lake.
All was right in their world.
Then i see you walking towards me
My heart beats faster
Your confidence and strength
Are there for all to see.
You are so handsome it takes
My breath away.
Then you spy me and begin to jog towards me.
Oh god how i love YOU !!!
We sit close  and watch the kids  swimming
enjoying their energy.
We talk of  nothing and  yet of  everything
Our souls soar when  they are close like this.
As the sun sets we start for home
Our hearts are joined as well as our hands.
It truly has been  a glorious  day
As we stroll  towards home
We look one more time at all the he fun the kids are having
 I sigh
Knowing that today
Right now
All is right in OUR world too.
Lady Valor©

Often had it been heard for Minn's husband to loudly say
If you really like to catch big fish, then this is the place to stay
He boast of Bass as long as his arm and twice as thick
Just hearing him talk of throwing them back, made me sick
Perch, Crappie, Blue gill and Catfish he claim occupied that lake
I could stand it no longer, upon that water I would cast my wake
All plans made I packed my rod and reel, with the greatest of care
And with my best lures, jigs, spoons and flies the fish better beware
I gathered information on weather, water temperature and tides
I studied long and hard area maps to find out where the big one hides
My first days fishing I spent walking the shores to get a lay of the land
Looking at underwater structures and landmarks where fish could stand
Bright and early I awoke the second day ready to fish the whole lake
Ready to see if Minn's Husband's tall fishing tales were real or fake
But I watched, as a fish jumped out of the water that was lying in wait
And took a kid swinging on a rope, something told me I needed bigger bait
Bear1Mage©
.........................................................................................................................