The Tangled Branch Discussion Forums

in through out and out through in
a seven year old runs and runs                                                                                                               on the open roof, a tramway
to nowhere but his own imagination
he weaves paths among trees
gathers words and numbers
chemical formula and v=rw
while his friends clamber
across abysses, gather risk
out on a limb where apples grow.

I saw something recently about Japanese schools having their breaks on roofs instead of playgrounds
because of Covid. There didn't appear to be any safety barriers
Interesting poem Dave.

Well written.

It amazes me how everything is changed, especially the unanticipated things. This poem evidences a good eye for these things.

Consider deleting "out" from the last line.

T

I googled r=vw and found an explanation that it represents circular motion. Beyond that my attention deficit disorder when it comes to mathematics kicked in but I suspect complete understanding is unnecessary. What I do get from my reading of this wonderful write is a study of human spirit evidenced in the ability of these children to find themselves in a whole expanded world of fun, discovery and risk circling on a rooftop. 

What a valuable ability it is in these times. What a good thing if, until the pandemic subsides, we could turn to the ability to find such a world in our garden, workshop, home culinary adventures etc.

I taught on the second floor of an older building for many years. It opened out onto a flat roof and immediately after the Columbine shooting (and many more after) I "fixed" the only window so we could exit out onto the roof in case of an intruder in the building. Even kept a rope ladder out there so we could get down.
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Your poem reminded me of those days. Unfortunately.

Indeed unfortunate given the happy nature of the school life in the poem. A sad reflection of the difference perhaps in life in the USa and in Japan.