Down the Yellow Slide

I walked past the garden gate and followed the sidewalk down to the empty pocket park. At the edge of the grass stood a low wooden play structure with a bright yellow plastic slide. I climbed up the three wide timber steps, holding onto the smooth railing until I reached the top platform. Pausing for a quiet moment, I looked down the gentle slope. I sat down at the edge, straightened my legs out over the slick chute, and gave the handrails a firm, gentle push. The quick swoosh sent a cool rush of air across my cheeks before I landed upright with a soft thud in the woodchips below.