Saturday Ice Skating

But, first, a poem for a pre-NaPoWriMo (National Poetry Write Month – April) warm-up. Tomorrow is the first day of NaPoWriMo and I’m grateful for the exercise.

And now for our early-bird prompt (optional, like all our prompts!) Today, we’d like to challenge you to write a poetic self-portrait. And specifically, we’d like you to write a poem in which you portray yourself in the guise of a historical or mythical figure. Does that sound a bit strange? Well, take a look at this poem by Mary-Kim Arnold, “Self Portrait as Semiramis,” or Tarfia Farzullah’s, “Self-Portrait as Artemis,” and perhaps you’ll get a sense of the possibilities.

I gracefully swirl,
my arms leading the way;

deep breath in,
slowly exhaling,

the blade cuts
the ice below me;

my arms continue
guiding me,

it reminds me of the time
when I learned how to drive –

my right arm
guides me left,

my feet follow,
kept straight,

knees bent
at a forty-five degree angle:

swirling in a perfect circle,
I descend from the ice –

a year ago, maybe even two,
this would have been unheard of:

terrified of the ice,
a monster that injures;

careful work and dedication,
breathe in, exhale out;

I’m grounded now,
I dance with a smile:

straight fees, bent knees,
slowly bending down,

picking up the ice crystals,
throwing them in excitement:

the crowd goes wild,
erupting in applause;

judges cry, scribbling numbers,
gold is placed around my neck, unexpected.

I conquered my fear and won crystallized gold.

 

Yesterday, I went to Center Ice in Oaks to continue practicing what I learned in New York City a couple of weeks ago. Since it was 73 degrees outside, the rink wasn’t crowded, and I met a few kind people while I skated. I skated in the center, didn’t fall, and continued practice skating in circles. I’m glad I took lessons and I’m glad I keep going back to Oaks in the off season, despite what happened two years ago with those teens.

 

I’m so proud of myself. Also, the guy I got a selfie with took the pictures. He was just learning to skate and he asked me for pointers! I told him what I learned from Erin in New York City; he took my advice and he looked great. What a lovely day.