I push backward gently and lift my feet from the ground, the swing holding me tight. I begin to pump my legs. I propel forward and see blue skies. I pull back and see green grass. Blue sky, green grass, blue sky, green grass, blue, green, blue, green—I go higher and faster. Then, higher and faster still. Finally, at the top of a forward motion pendulum swing, I feel the swing loosen its grip and my body starts to lift from its seat. I let go, the swing falls away, and for a single glorious moment, I AM FLYING.
April Berry is a children's book author living in West Michigan. You can usually find her on the playground or on X at @AprilBerryBooks.