Sledding at Dusk

Soft white sparkles  
Of icy crystals  
Crunch underfoot  
As breezes scatter stray snowflakes  
That kiss our lips and cheeks and noses  
Our footsteps turn to slip us through the gate  
Onto pristine paths  
And a gentle slope—our destination  
Sled at heels  
Jumping along like an excited puppy  
Eager to be free from its leash  
So we free our ride for just a moment  
Before pouncing and balancing  
And sliding  
Down  
Air whooshing through our hair  
Laughing and tumbling together  
I beg the little boy  
(Who had paused at the gate  
To create  
A snow angel  
In his image)  
“May I ride with you?”  
(May I be a child too  
In this moment with you?)  
As children together  
we romp and ride and slip and slide  
And giggle and tease  
This sunset sledding  
Brings out the best in us  
Along with rosy cheeks