Jun 2, 2016

POETRY FRIDAY: The Swing by Robert Louis Stevenson

Thanks to Jone at Check it Out for hosting Poetry Friday this week!
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Life has been on fast forward since I last posted—the many activities of May swooped down and pecked up the minutes, and the days flew by. School is out now and my boys and I are settling in for a nice, long, slow summer.

For my jump back into Poetry Friday this week, I decided to share one of my favorite summer poems. Swinging was one of my favorite things to do as a child, and The Swing by Robert Louis Stevenson captures every bit of the free-flying feeling that I remember so well.

The Swing
by Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894)

How do you like to go up in a swing,
   Up in the air so blue?
Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing
   Ever a child can do!

Up in the air and over the wall,
   Till I can see so wide,
Rivers and trees and cattle and all
   Over the countryside—

Till I look down on the garden green,
   Down on the roof so brown—
Up in the air I go flying again,
   Up in the air and down!



Unfortunately, I won’t be doing much swinging this summer; last weekend on the first night of a long-planned camping trip to the D.C. area, I stepped in a hole and ended up in the ER. My husband and boys refused to go into the city without me, so we came home the next day. Now I am relegated to a nice, comfy chair for the next several weeks, and am looking forward to having more focused writing time than I've had in a long time (yes, I am desperately searching for the silver lining here!).

Wishing you all a happy (and safe) summer!

23 comments:

  1. Love the poem. When I was growing up, I loved swinging too. Used to run to the swings at recess every day. I used to go to the park, even after I could drive, to swing. Thanks for sharing this poem.

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    1. I think swinging is a (surprising) universal past time!

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  2. Luckily you can still swing in your imagination and celebrate with summer poetry, Becky! (And what better excuse to return to blogging, too.) Hope the road to healing is a speedy one for you. It's clear you're in good hands with that loving family of yours.

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    1. Yes, my boys have been super helpful. Thanks, Michelle!

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  3. What a great poem. I guess the silver lining is you have an excuse to sit and read. Hope you feel better soon.

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  4. I've always loved the carefree mood of that poem. It's such a delightful celebration. Thanks for sharing it. I'm so sorry that your anticipated camping trip ended quickly with your injury. I hope you recover swiftly!

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    1. Thank you, Molly--I am doing better and better every day!

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  5. HA! How fun to find this poem twice in one roundup! You and Carol W. are on the same RL Stevenson page!!

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    1. It is such a lovely poem, no wonder so many people love it!

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  6. Nice to read this poem again. RLS has been a favorite since childhood.

    Sorry to hear that your camping trip was cut short. Take care and feel better soon.

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  7. Rats, what a spoiler, huh? That sort of happened to my husband last year (he carefully planned a three day camping trip/hike, and then got sick and had to cancel it). How are you feeling? Hope your imagination goes wild and you get a lot written!

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    1. Thank you, Tabatha. I am getting a lot of writing, reading, and research done and am feeling better every day!

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  8. RLS is a favorite of mine as well, Becky. Sorry to hear about your foot - focused writing time is a great silver lining. Feel better, soon! =)

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    1. Yes--a bright silver lining! :-) Thank you, Bridget!

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  9. Ugh, sorry to hear about the injury! But that is a good silver lining, right? =) I swing sometimes when I go the park w/my son, but I'm too afraid to get really going, b/c of his tendency to wander around and not pay attention. I'd feel awful if I mowed him down!

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  10. Hope you're almost healed by now, Becky. Such fun to see this carefree poem, thanks for sharing!

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    1. Thanks so much, Marcia! I am feeling *much* better!

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  11. Get well soon, Becky! And thanks for this lovely poem. I love the swing.

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  12. Dear Becky,
    I love swinging and this poem by Stevenson is a great description. May your ankle heel and your writing soar to new heights!

    Sincerely
    Never Give Up
    Joan

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Thanks so much for visiting my blog!

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