Snowdrifts

Chilled, icy snowdrifts

loom overhead;

Obstacles

that I must overcome.

The winding road

is wet with dew

and though I try

as I might

this next slip 

is unavoidable.

Down on the ice

I fall with a thud.

It's hard to get up

when I'm all alone.

When I finally stand

I shout for joy

but no one else hears

they're too busy

loosing their own grips

on the slippery ice.

The next snowdrift;

bigger than the last.

I slide over easily,

this time;

careful not to slip on the ice.

The past drifts

have prepared me

so I can see ahead

and know what to expect.

The fall is less great

as I overtake

the upcoming snowdrifts.

©2000, M.V.H.