the giant stride

our playground had a giant stride
a sort of May pole with chains
attached to a spinning ring at the top
horizontal wooden hand-holds
attached at dangling ends

we would grab with both hands
take long running steps
round and round the tall steel pole
as fast as we could go
lift ourselves into the air
and sail around the world
flying
by our own shared power

one then another
would sink to earth and run
leaning into the circle
at the base of the pole
maintaining our speed
while others remained airborne

bigger kids came down first
but they didn't care
they ran and ran and ran
until all would fly again

then
someone fell and broke a bone
authorities sitting on hard wooden chairs
discussed and decided...
the giant stride dismantled
now we are safe