Winter Sonnet: A Childhood Memory

Some things
You had to do, like the cold lineup out
On Chestnut Hill - with mother's apron strings
Left at home. Just the neighborhood turnout
and the Flexi-Flyers. You had to go.
It wasn't a rule that was written down
At school, or made up by the parents, no,
Nothing to do with Authority's frown.
You held to your sled tight and went for it,
With all the courage you could muster, all
Of it bound and gathered into a fit -
All in answer to a different call.
And with the wind's sharp edges tracking tears
In your eyes - you ran from, and with your fears.

- The Fool
- This posting first appeared @ "Shouting in the Dark" 2006