When Was It

I wonder when it was that I rode on the swing.

It wasn't that long ago.

A small park near my house.
It only has a sandbox, a jungle gym, a slide, and a swing.

And a large zelkova tree.

When my sons were little, I often pushed them on the swing.

When did I stop riding it myself?

Sometimes I go to that park alone late at night,
touch the zelkova tree,
receive energy from the heavens,
pretending that I, too, have become a zelkova tree.

The swing stands beside it.

Just once,
I sat on that swing and tried to pump it.
The thrill I felt as a child is gone.
I got off immediately.

You cannot remain a child forever.

I haven't ridden the swing since then.
I just glance at it out of the corner of my eye.

Komaki-san, thank you as always for the prompt.