You lace up your skates

Push yourself up

Maybe hang on to a friend at first

Scritch scritch across the bumpy lake ice

Leg muscles cramp, ankles stiffen

But soon you feel something click

You’ve got your balance

You let go of your friend’s arm

Spread out your arms

And fly free

Across the ice

The wind in your face, the sun shining.

You might bump into something

Lose your balance

Fall on your butt

Feel silly

But you don’t stay there.

You get yourself up

And try again.