This post was originally published 4 years ago, in 2017. I had been perusing some of my past posts and came upon this – and since it’s been a favorite of mine ever since I penned it, I thought I’d share it again here, in case you hadn’t had a chance to read it the first time. Hope you enjoy it!
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I took this photo of my son sledding at our next-door neighbors’ backyard almost exactly 2 years ago, and as I looked at it, certain thoughts kept coming to me: a long way down, a long climb up, his being undaunted in trudging uphill over and over, to enjoy the thrill of the ride.
This poem came out of that. He was 5 at the time, and had never been tubing before – and had never worn a helmet and goggles before, either! So for someone who had been sledding almost as long as he had been walking, he was enjoying these new experiences.
If you’re looking for more poetry, head on over to Jone MacCulloch’s blog for today’s complete Poetry Friday roundup, where she is celebrating 15 years of blogging!!
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I continue adding to my “Wit & Wordplay” videos ! These videos were created for parents and educators (along with their kids) to learn how to write poetry, appreciate it, and have fun with it. From alliteration and iambs to free verse and spine poetry, I’m pretty sure there’s something in these videos you’ll find surprising! You can view them all on my YouTube channel, and if you have young kids looking for something to keep busy with, I also have several downloadable activity sheets at my website.
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DON’T ASK A DINOSAUR:
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Your poem’s words and pace exemplify the sledding experience, and I love the image, too!
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Thank you, Jane!
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You gave me quite a thrill on this sledding ride, Matt. I am sure your son loved the experience. Would you like to offer this image poem to my Winter Wonder Gallery? Is is large enough to be seen without the enlargement feature?
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You’re welcome to use it, Carol – thanks for asking. It would probably work fine, but if you think it needs to be re-formatted, let me know and i can take care of it for you.
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I’m checking out the format now, Matt. Thanks.
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Nice! I’ve not been sledding many times in my life, but I do remember the thrill. Love that last line.
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Thank you, Dori!
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Sledding! Best part of winter if winter involves snow. Fun poem, Matt. =)
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Thanks, Bridget, glad you liked it.
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That’s a sweet photo, Matt! I love the lines “There’s risk ahead, so grab your sled!” It speaks of the boldness of your little guy.
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Thank you, Kiesha – he and his 3-year-old sister love the thrill of sledding!
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I like the life message at the end of your poem!
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Thank you, Mary Lee – that was actually the hardest part, because I knew what I wanted to say, but didn’t want it to sound forced or trite or didactic. I’m pretty comfortable with the way I solved it, so I’m glad you liked it, too!
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Exuberant, Matt! Thanks for sharing. We raised our kids in north Georgia and they did get to sled some winters, but your kids have “serious” snow to contend with. (And now my now-grown kids are still in the Georgia mountains, but here at the SC coast we have no snow to contend with! ;0) )
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I’m glad you liked it, Robyn. I remember when I was living in Nashville in the mid-’90s, one year we had a storm that dumped 6″ on a Sunday afternoon – and some schools were still closed the following Friday!
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The poem is wonderful Matt, it fits so well with the overwhelming snow hill and tiny but empowering image of your son!
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Thanks, Michelle. I was trying to capture that contrast, and it took me quite awhile to try to nail down the right words.
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You’ve captured the moment so well, Matt! I love his daredevil posture in that last photo.
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Thanks, Michelle! If he’s not screaming down a mountainside, he’s soaring the skies in his bi-plane. 😉
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What fun. I had a chance to sled through poetry. Thank you.
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Glad you enjoyed it, Jone!
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Love this, Matt! It brings back many memories of my childhood in Colorado. Sledding was serious business in my family. My dad and my three sisters and I packed the sled run just right…even building a bank so as to stay on the run as when we hit the sharp curve…even carrying a bucket of water to ice the bank to make it more substantial. Then with Dad on the bottom and all of four of us stacked by age on his back….ZOOM!….we’d attempt to make it all the way down without losing anyone off of the stack. We were using a long, wooden sled with runners and handles for steering. Thanks for the trip down memory lane!
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Wow, you DID take it seriously! I recall as a kid in 3rd or 4th grade, hurtling down a hill on a silver disc, and when I approached a sharp turn, I kept going straight and smashed into the boulder behind it! I still have the scar on my right leg, but I never lost my desire to sled, fortunately. Thanks for stopping by!
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‘Spherical steed!” Love it. As someone who has never seen snow, let alone tried sledding or tubing, I am in awe of the experience nearly as much as I am of the poem. Thank you.
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Thank you, Sally! You need to come visit and we’ll get you hurtling downhill so fast you’re eyes will water.
(I’m not kidding) 😀
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We, in Denver, didn’t get snow this recent storm, sad for me (for moisture) & for the grandgirls whose dad always builds a run for them outside their home. The mountains got plenty for the skiers, thank goodness. Maybe soon for us? I remember your poem, which brings memories of my own sledding, down, down a hill, trying hard not to end up in a creek! Yes, ‘blinding speed’!
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Thanks, Linda – I do hope for your sake you get enough snow to enjoy winter the way it should be!
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My brothers, sister and I used to sled in the winter on a hill behind our house. It was my favorite thing and the photo and poem absolutely captures it. It was always worth the climb in good snow.
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It’s so much fun, I feel bad for the folks who never see snow and never have the pleasure of hurtling downhill at breakneck speed!
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Definitely an appropriate poem for the season
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Thank you, Kay!
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So fun! I bet your son likes this one! Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
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Ha, yes,he does!
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We all have these memories… my oldest son, I think only two, was sent down a steep hill alone by my brother-in-law. I was scared spitless, but we could hear him giggle all the way down. Love the poem! Thanks.
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Ha! “Scared spitless” is hilarious – never heard that! Thanks, Karen..
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The photo and the poem are terrific. I wish we’d get some snow for sledding.
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Probably soon, Jone! Thanks so much.
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Your poem has so much joy and momentum to it!
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Thank you, Laura!
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“There’s risk ahead…” yes and that’s the best part! Love your poem. Just went sledding with my kids after our recent blizzard. Never too old to have fun in the snow. Your son’s picture in the snow tube is so cute!
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Thanks, Jean – we just went sledding this afternoon, and it was just as much fun!
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