THE OLD PORCH SWING
Just old boards and rusted chains
The old swing hanging there
It’s hardly ever used now
But saw its time of wear
‘Twas there Dad held hands with Mom
As groom and lovely bride
And through the years it also held
Six children at their side
There I rocked my dolls to sleep
Or so I would pretend
And there I giggled endlessly
With Crystal, my best friend
Whenever I was punished
And thinking life unfair
I’d swing awhile in its arms
While seeking solace there
On moonlit summer evenings
My Mom sat in the swing
And as it moved back and forth
I’d hear her hum and sing
Then I would sit beside her
Being quiet as could be
And listen to her sweet soft voice
Singing old-time songs for me
My Grandpa often sat there
As he sprinkled the grass
Chewing wads of Granger Twist
And spitting with rural class
The swing was witness to my muse
Yes, almost every time
It was the perfect place for me
And my attempts at rhyme
So fertile seeds of poetry
Were sown in that old swing
As sitting there, deep in thought
I rhymed most everything.
Initials are carved on its arms
In hearts that entwine
Symbols of my first romance
(A hand grooved valentine)
And as I entered dating years
I’d sit with current beau
Saying things that sweethearts say
While swinging to and fro
There I received a diamond
On a warm starlit night
For such a romantic evening
The old swing seemed just right
Three generations of infants
Were cuddled on the swing
Memories recall for each of us
The lullabies we’d sing
It often held our neighbors
Who came to chat a spell
If the swing had a memory
What stories it could tell
The old boards and rusted chains
Will soon be tossed away
But I’ll remember throughout life
That swing of yesterday
6/18/88 Phyllis DeWitt VanVleck
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