Treasured Old Friend

                                                     The chains squeak oh so loudly
                                                     moving slowly against the wind
                                                     hanging down from the rafters
                                                     a treasured old friend to the end

                                                     Two sweethearts would still a kiss
                                                     in the midst of clear moonlight
                                                     moving ever so gently there
                                                     love spoke volumes each night

                                                    A moment in time stood still
                                                    so happy was that old swing
                                                    he kneeled down beside her
                                                    with a shiny, golden ring

                                                   Then it moved to and fro
                                                   as they sat side by side
                                                   watching their children grow
                                                   the old swing felt joy and pride

                                                   So happy were the days
                                                   with grandchildren swinging high
                                                   like the grandparents before them
                                                   it had a twinkle in its eye

                                                  So many years were well spent
                                                  it gracefully passed its prime
                                                  for the first time in its life
                                                  the old swing has nothing but time

                                                 And those sweet, cherished memories
                                                 although now a rusted soul
                                                 against the wind it squeaks loudly
                                                 how a lifetime came to unfold

                                                 Susie Swanson, 2012

Hope all of you enjoy my little tribute to my grandparent's Old Swing..Far back as I can remember that old swing hung on their front porch and oh my how I love to swing... I always wondered how long it had been there and my mother told me when she was a little girl her dad made it and hung it there..We had one when I was young but it wasn't as old as Pa and Ma's..(That's what we called them). Pa also made handles for tools such as Hoes, Shovels, etc.. He made them until he got disabled and had to give it up..He had one son that kept up the tradition..He still makes them today... Pa and Ma had ten children and there's only four living..he's the oldest one still living and he's 86 .. People in the community take their tools to him and he puts handles in them..He's got to the point now that his memory is not as good, (of course one wouldn't expect it to be at that age) but now when someone brings them his wife puts their name on them for him or he would never remember who they belonged to..My husband has taken several of his tools over the years and the handles are still good as new..For the big stuff like Hoes, Shovels, Axes, etc. he makes them out of Oak or other wood..For the small handles such as Hammers and such he makes them out of Hickory.. My brother works for the County on the Road Department and they carry alot of their tools to him too... He's getting more feeble now and not in the best of health, I figured he would've given it up a long time ago..His wife has tried to get him to, especially when he cut his hand really bad one time but nope he wouldn't see to it...
I don't know why I got off on such but that should be another poem for another day... I just talked myself into it..Anyways , Hope all is well and staying cool., yes summer is finally here in our little neck of the woods.Suppose to be up in the 90's this week..You all take care.. Susie