Swayed Poem by Jenny Kalahar

Swinging in darkness
in a house
suspended by unseen ropes or chains
where the creak and moan of movement
is the same
as the wind in the cracks of the bricks.
Wildly off planet you go
arcing outward
swaying back to earth again
flying out again
leaving grass in quarters
on the sides of mountains
clouds moving to dodge
and still you sway
going away
going astray
alone

When the ground comes near
why don't you jump out through the door
to land on the floor
of the not-sky
leave behind
what flies and sways
in darkness or in day
forever

The sea comes into view
at night
a sliver of moon
dipping into waves
and you are tempted again
to leap away
from that which sways
both night and day
but the water won't stop laughing long enough
to let you aim for a spot to drop
and no one encourages you to jump
and no one calls for you to come
you haven't seen man nor beast in months
and still you swing in darkness

And then suddenly everything stops.
The bricks settle upon the land
a cow yoos through your window
calling with milk to share
and the greenness everywhere
looks like magic through your open door.

But the air is clean
and the grass is green
and the sky is bluer than blue.
It is frightening and new
looks amazing yet you
stay in what swayed
so afraid
wishing your cage would move