Touch the Sky
Touch the sky – The problem of life is that we grow up and sometimes we forget the things that made us – well us. When we were little all we can think about is doing adult things. Being little we didn’t know about the stress of life, of family, relationships, love, hate, money, and jobs. We wonder what’s to come and look ahead to what will/should be.
Growing up is never easy. For some people when they become adults, it is too late, they forget the childlike wonder of a full moon or a sunrise and even how we use to touch the sky. They forget the sounds of the river when you spend a lazy Saturday tubing or the sounds that a trout makes when it splashes in the water after capturing a fly floating on top.
When we are little it is the small things that made us happy and somewhere along the path of life most forget that. And some when we become adults often times we treat children as inferiors. But think about it – most children have happiness. We should always try to look at the world through a child eyes and try and not lose the inner child that see’s the world with wonder. We must forgive ourselves for growing up and keep your eyes and mind looking back on those days when we – touched the sky.
This poem is about one of those childlike wonders and what my friends and I called touching the sky. I hope it takes you back and makes you think of what it was like to be 2 – 8 years old again for a second or two; I hope it makes you smile.
There was nothing more wondrous and peaceful than swinging in a swing when you were little.
Touch The Sky
A swing, only thing between the ground and I,
When I was little, I touched the sky.
Childhood fears took a step back when I would swing,
Faster and faster until the wind and the air would sing.
Lost in my thoughts I could swing forever,
Sky and back in my playful endeavor.
Touching the clouds it was peaceful and free,
As I swung back and forth from that old oak tree.
I was invincible arched in the air as if I had wings,
Nothing in my life now can compare to those old swings.
By Kurt James
Where to purchase Kurt James novels:
https://www.amazon.com/Kurt-James/e/B01DTOJ7KC/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1503960740&sr=8-1
Kurt James © 2017
Kurt James Novels available on Amazon
The Denver Post, PM Magazine, and 9NEWS, all well-known Denver, Colorado media sources, have highlighted the powerful and evocative work of poet and novelist Kurt James. Focusing on Old West history, Kurt contributes feature articles to HubPages and Creative Exiles, exploring the eerie silence of ghost towns, the thrilling tales of outlaws and gunfighters, and the evocative imagery found in the Rocky Mountains.
Kurt’s early admiration for writers such as Jack London, Louis L’Amour, and Max Brand played a significant role in honing his skills as a storyteller. Twenty-one books (and counting!) transport readers to the Colorado Rockies and the Old West through Kurt’s vivid descriptions; the feel of rough-hewn cabins, the sounds of coyotes howling under starry skies, and the smells of campfire smoke and sagebrush are all palpable.
Find Kurt James novels, short stories, reference books, and poetry—published by Midnight Wind Publishing—in print copies or digital downloads at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads, and other excellent bookstores; explore the diverse range of formats available.
Currently in production - The 10th book in his Rocky Mountain Series - Lee Moomaw Former Lawman.
Kurt is a proud member of the Western Writers of America, a group that values storytelling.
- Riding the Timberline - May 26, 2025
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- As the Years Roll By - November 15, 2023
Kurt you have a beautiful granddaughter. I too have one and I cherish every visit I have with her. Remembering how much I loved to swing on swings you brought me back in time. I spent hours at the park playing on monkey bars, slides. Merry-go-round and swings. Use to go so high and then jump off to see how far we could land. Cherish your precious time together my friend as time flies and before you know it children are adults and they to are grasping for memories too when they swung high reaching the sky on their swing. Bravo nicely penned.
Yes they do grow fast Vincent. Is it just me or does life seem to speed up as we grow older? As for the memoires – do you remember go so high in the swing that one leg of the swing set pops out of the ground? I am glad that you stopped by and left your wonderful comment. Take care my friend.
Oh, for those beautiful days of childhood when we touched the sky. Swings were always somewhere around and my siblings and I made good use of them. Then to watch my children swing so high “that one leg of the swing set pops out of the ground.” Yes, I remember that. Thank you for this wonderful piece of nostalgia, Kurt. I enjoyed it so much.
Glad I was able to take you back to your wonder years Phyllis, even though it was just for a second or two. Thanks for stopping by.
Yes, so uncomplicated when we were kids and a swing the greatest thing ever. If only we can keep a little of that child we were, life does look far better. Nicely penned and evocative write. Cheers!
Thanks Tony. I wish the world had never have lost their childhood innocence, of course that is just a dream on my part. Thanks for stopping.
You have such a gift for conjuring up those amazing memories from our childhood periods. It’s as if I can almost fly just thinking about it…..swinging along without a care
Thanks Ralph – that compliment from you is a day maker for sure.
Beautiful poem and your granddaughter is lucky to have you as her granddad. Yes, I can remember swinging and the leg popping up from the swing set. But some memories are not so grand, in the 4th grade I fell out of the swing at school and spent time in the hospital. Luv ya Cuz!
LOL, fell out of the swing or maybe you were pushed by an older brother maybe.. Thanks Donnis, this means a lot to me that you took time out of your busy day to write this. Of course you rock cousin, but I think you have always known that I felt that way about you. Love to the moon and back.
Tell me it wasn’t a great adrenaline rush when you jumped off the swings and landed on your feet for the first time? I loved it. Always had a swing in my yard, from childhood to now my children. It’s such an uplifting experience. Nice piece Kurt.
It was a rush the first time, and always a rush when the one leg would pop – out… lol… Thanks for stopping Paul