Rope

It was calling my name,
The hanging line of rope,
Swaying over a river
Of crystal clear forest water.

I had to use a stick
To pull it over to me,
As it was out of reach,
Halfway across the stream.

I held it in my hands,
Finding the perfect grip,
Then stepped up onto a log
To get a higher start.

I jump up onto it,
Putting all my trust
In a single old rope
Hanging from an aged tree.

I'm fully letting loose,
Feeling nothing all around me
But the crisp, breezy air
And the very special rope.

I fly through the air,
Across the deep river trench.
I feel the thrill and rush.
Until I reach the other end.

I slow to a quick stop,
Thinking it's all over,
But I keep holding on,
And take flight back to the start.

I stop myself on the log,
The place that started it all,
Until I jumped back on
To enjoy a second ride.

I sail through the cool, calm air,
This time holding back my head.
I watched the sunny, blue sky
And the clouds drift over the trees.

Watching, not where I'm going,
But seeing what's beyond,
The thrill of the short flight
Feels like flying under the forest shade.

Sometimes I'd look down,
Staring into the running river water.
I watch the true joy on my own face,
Through the riffled water mirror.

The ride is a simple thing,
Though it feels - the best thing ever.
But, what it's truly for
Is worth thousands of swings more.
--
The other side of the river,
The place the enchanted rope leads to,
It's my own magical kingdom,
Powered by my own imagination.

No matter how intense
Or even how calm,
I am the guardian
And I'll protect all I can.

Because when I'm in the place
I am more than I can imagine.
I'm given a feeling of pride and power
I can't get anywhere else.

If I think something could be there,
Lurking in the forest depths,
My mind allows me to fight back,
And defeat all possible threats.

I'm the fastest, I'm the strongest,
I'm the best in the whole land.
For whatever comes across my path
Shall fear my skill and power.

The sounds I hear,
they give ideas.
The rattling of an old wind chime,
Those are the chains of prisoners.

The scurry of harmless squirrels,
Aren't so harmless to me,
As all I hear from them,
Are the threats to attack my land.

I've been sent here to be a hero,
I must do all I can to help.
I will free the prisoners,
And defeat the Dark Master.

This kingdom I defend and run,
It could be terrible or peaceful.
For whatever I think is out there
Is lurking there, waiting for me.

It's crazy how, for me,
A simple suspended rope
In the middle of the woods
Leads to a whole new world.

It is my place...
The only place I'm happy,
For all is waiting there for me
Across the Bridge to Terabithia.