The Pulley

Back in the woods

there was a cable

that stretched

from a tall fat pine

to an old scrub oak.

Riding along the cable

was a pulley

with a rope tied to it.

You grabbed the rope

and dragged the pulley

up the cable

as you climbed

the wooden rungs

nailed to the tree.

Once you reached the cable,

you reeled in the pulley

to the top of the run.

taking hold of the rope

just under the pulley

you launched out,

holding on for dear life.

There was just enough

slack in the cable

to prevent smacking

into the oak tree.

I never did find out

who put up that

cable and pulley

back in the woods.

Whoever it was,

already knew

what I discovered;

some rides are

worth the effort.