Slipping and sliding on a frozen creek
Showing off skating moves with pride
Noses running; hands and feet freezing
But dreading when we had to go inside
Shoes did double duty as ice skates
For games, we had learned to improvise
Seven brothers and sisters playing happily
Being mindful of Mother's watchful eyes
We looked forward to the big snowfalls
So we could wade the snow up to our knees
Making snow angels and having snowball fights
We were young and not very hard to please
We sneaked icicles that hung from the rooftop
Secretly ate them enjoying the subterfuge
Always careful not to let Mother see us
They were "no-nos" and against her rules
We were allowed to make snow cream each winter
Adding sugar, vanilla and evaporated milk
I still remember the taste from so long ago
How it was creamy and went down like pure silk
Mother made the best hot cocoa from scratch
In the days before the instant kind was invented
And rubbed Vicks Vapo-Rub on our little chests
I couldn't count all the colds she prevented
This time of year sets my old mind to thinking
About the winter fun of many years ago
Taking our youth and innocence for granted
And being excited at the first signs of snow
Kathleen McCoy Eldridge©
November 20, 2007
All Rights Reserved
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