The Swing That Never Stopped

The birds had long stopped singing their melodic songs as the clock struck midnight on a summer evening. Their chirping was replaced by a swing set's creaking. Thousands of bright diamond stars poked out of the sable sapphire sky. In this serene scene was a swing set facing away from the moon. The lunar glow allowed the swing set to have its own shadow, even in the midst of a tenebrous night. Lingering scents of earlier barbecues and bug spray continuously wafted with the dusk breezes. Petrichor was now the ascendant scent.

With an inescapable thunderous sound, the local train rushed by. Hundreds of passengers were either finishing or beginning their days simultaneously. For those who were accustomed to the resounding noise, the trains passing was comfortingly common. It drowned out the ceaseless creaking of the swing.

Tall houses crowded the surrounding streets, their presence only rivaled by the greatest of trees. It was surprising that the moon could peek through the ethereal sage leaves of each of the trees' branches. Brave children or cowardly squirrels climbed the chestnut trunks every time the weather allowed. It seemed that the branches grew towards the sun as celestial ladders. Only the youngest dared to scale them.

But that was during the daylight's glow, so now the children were fast asleep. Only those rubbing the tiredness out of their eyes could see the silvery disco ball in the sky. The tiredest of people saw the strangest of creatures. Small dashing raccoons, lurking crimson foxes, and flying dusty owls crowded the backyards of unknowing souls. The ever-so-rare bear made an appearance to claw through trash bins.

This peaceful tranquility could only last until the sun rose once more. The world roared with excitement at the thought, undermining the beauty of the quiet.

Forgotten paper plates and napkins blew off of tabletops as another breeze struck. The disposable parcels danced in the night sky gracefully. They were free from the restraints of their old burdens. A black house cat was inspired by the silent revolution and scampered alike. Its onyx fur was lost in the night.

The swing set creaked through it all.