recovering notes from the deep, part 7

it was always cold enough in november
for a flooded cloverdale ice rink
to draw pickup hockey games
on the weekends

young & old found

new & old glory

the boys had a way

of ribbing me
to my limits
like when are you going
to learn
to skate backwards

i never did

by january

the cold
shortened the games
     we transitioned
to cross-country skiing
by then
after the wood pile
was replenished

every blue sky

     and they were deep blue
that lasted through high noon
was a gift

--- e b bortz