Wednesday, October 4, 2017

IWSG: Memories of "Boy on a Swing"



                                                                     


It's time for another edition of the Insecure Writer's Support Group. Be sure to visit Alex J.  Cavanaugh and the rest of the talented writers who are always willing to lend a helping hand.

This summer I wrote about a local poetry contest where participants were encouraged to write a poem about one of the 28 sculptures in our community. Keeping in the spirit of the story, my editor asked me to join in the fun, so I unofficially waxed poetic.



Mary Block's "Boy on a Swing"

This poem was inspired by Mary Block’s “Boy on a Swing” and was written about a month before we moved from the home where we raised our two boys.

Memories of “Boy on a Swing
Swing, swing, see the boy swing,
Not one boy, but memories of two it brings.
Afternoons spent frolicking in Sunset Park,
Boys pleading to run and play until dark.
First the baby swing, how quickly time flies,
Push me higher mom up to the sky.
Swings are for babies, parks are for sports,
First T-ball, then soccer, and basketball courts.
Touch football becomes tackle, your nerves are frayed,
‘Til you’re the one who’s being played.
Sleepless nights where can they be?
Soon they’re miles away pledging a fraternity.
Swing, swing, see the boy swing,
Savor the moments and the joy that it brings.
-Julie Kemp Pick
This poem was published July 5, 2017 in DailyNorthShore.com

27 comments:

  1. Such mixed and lovely memories, Julie, brought back many of my own. Thank you.

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  2. A wonderful poem and such a great idea. Excellent post.

    Yvonne.

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  3. Love your poem. And it brings back memories for me too. My daughter is at college now too.

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  4. The poem that only a mother could write!

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  5. That's a wonderful poem. Congratulations!

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  6. Hi Julie - a delightful turn on events of real life ... so true I'm sure - you remember those days like yesterday - and now the boys are out there doing their thing - congratulations ... a wonderful poem - I can see them all - cheers Hilary

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  7. That was so lovely and touching, Julie, and a poem that is very relatable to many of us.

    My swing set is still in my yard. One of the reasons we bought this house fifteen years ago was for the set and the little clubhouse that was part of it. We had a few young grandchildren and, oh, how they loved it. The oldest went off to college this year and the others will follow soon. It is seldom used now, but I can't imagine my yard without it. Maybe my great grandchildren will get to use it someday and the wonderful sound of childhood laughter will again be heard.

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  8. I love your poem. It's just perfect.

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  9. That was a lovely, nostalgic feel to your poem. Really captured the innocence of childhood.

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  10. Wonderful poem, GEM JULIE!

    I particularly liked the lines about football and who's getting played. Ha! Nice!!

    Wow! "SUNSET PARK"... I grew up on Sunset Avenue and my Brother and I played Little League Baseball at Sunset Park (in what soon became known famously as "Dogtown", the nation's home to skateboarding). Those are some of my best memories.

    ~ Stephen

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  11. Carole Anne - Thank you so much! I tried leaving a comment on your blog last time and I'm not sure it went through. I really appreciate your kind words and will try again.

    Yvonne - This is such a nice compliment coming from you! I remember reading your poetry during my first A to Z in 2011. It's nice to see you again! Thank you!

    Natalie - I hope your daughter is enjoying college. I can't remember if she's a sophomore or a junior. My sons are now 26 and 29, so time really does fly! Thanks Natalie!

    Debra - So true and so diplomatic! Even if you didn't like it, you covered it well! Thanks Debra!

    Alex - Thank you, but I didn't enter the contest. The editor just added this assignment to my story, so the pressure was on, because most of the poems I started writing through blogging were silly. And thank you for hosting another wonderful IWSG!

    Julie

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  12. Hi Hilary, Yes, I do remember those days like yesterday, but I am starting to forget some details. Hopefully, in a few years I'll forget all of the mistakes I've made, but remarkably they still turned out to be such kind and thoughtful young men. Thank you and I hope all is well on your side of the pond.

    Arleen - That was so nice that you bought a house with a swing set for your grandchildren! The clubhouse sounds especially fun! Hope your oldest grandchild is having a wonderful time in college, and maybe you'll go for a visit one weekend. Yes, the sound of great-grandchildren playing sounds magical, but don't rush them! Thanks Arleen!

    Carol - Well, it's far from perfect, but I think everything rhymed okay! It's funny, when I interviewed for the local news website and weekend print edition, I gave the editor a copy of "Old Broads." Then two years later she asked me to write a poem, and I was so nervous that she wouldn't like it. But it all worked out. I probably won't write another poem for a few more years. Thanks Carol!

    Nick - Yes, childhood really was a time of innocence. I have to remember that when I think about kids growing up today with so much destruction and violence in the world. Thank you so much, Nick!

    Hey Stephen! There's skate boarding at our Sunset Park too, but I'm sure the Sunset Park in LA aka "Dogtown" is a lot more fun to go people watching! I'd love to hear more about your "Dogtown" days! Thanks Stephen!

    Julie

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  13. Fabulous mix of memories swinging by. You really are a poet. I agree with Carol, it's just perfect.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Rhonda, Thank you, but I'm still a work in progress. But you have perfected photography and I'm constantly amazed by your pictures!

      Julie

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  14. Nice job, kiddo! You captured what most moms feel.

    So are you all settled in at your new place? Take care, and have a super weekend.

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  15. Hi Susan! Yes, we're all settled in, and relieved that we were able to get rid of so many things around the house. Hope all is well with you and you're plowing through the pages of your book! Thank you, Susan!

    Julie

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    1. I finished the first round of editing and rewrites. Now the book is resting for a bit before I tackle the second round. :)

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    2. Susan, Wow that's a huge accomplishment! Rest up and I'm sure you'll breeze through round 2!

      Julie

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  16. Sounds like you have a very nice community with so many sculptures. Very evocative poem that somehow seems to capture growing up.

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    1. Nick - We do have a very arts-oriented community. Thanks for the kind words, Nick!

      Julie

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  17. I loved this! It definitely brought back memories of being a little kid. I always made all of the teachers mad by swinging as hard as I could and then launching out of the seat. It felt a little bit like flying and a lot like sprained ankles, but was always fun.

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  18. Hi Bryan & Brandon, What a great story, but you were a lot more adventurous than I was. I remember one day when my grandparents were babysitting, they were concerned because I set out on my purple Schwinn stingray bike wearing a seatbelt for a reckless day of sidewalk riding! Thanks B & B!

    Julie

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