High Arc

Slipped past the porch gate. Trotted down the pavement to the playground. Completely empty! Looked up. A bright yellow climbing ladder curved high into the morning air. Tall. Way up. I didn't wait. Leaped straight up! Arms shot upward—WHAP! Yellow hands clamped right onto the chilly iron rail. SQUEAK! I swung! A huge arc! Down, then swooping forward. Air rushing past my ears. Pendulum! Back and forth over the cedar chips. Fast, fast! Then... quiet drift. Just dangling and swaying like a lazy ribbon. Made it.