David Policar 1998.
Today, in the park, there's a child
With bandages on chin and forehead,
Playing alone by the swingset,
Pushing an empty swing slowly.
He played yesterday with a friend there.
She sat in the swing, and he pushed her,
First forward, a small pause, and back again;
Once more forward, but faster, for longer...
Then back again, laughing delighted.
With a great shove he tossed her still higher.
She soared, laughing, faster... slowed... stopping...
And started back on her return swing.
But he grew impatient to meet her,
Rushed forward to push her still higher,
And collided. She flew from her platform,
He was kicked bloody-faced through the hedges.
Today, here, he fingers his bandage,
And pushes an empty swing, slowly,
And never lets go.