Just Like a Fairy

Dad made a skating rink in the back yard -

communal cement behind our apartment complex

used for bar-b-ques, hopscotch and hanging clothes

He measured quite precisely,

sprayed thin coats of water

so cold, the water turned to ice before it landed

a job of patience --  three days

we watched the freeze

from the back door window

several winters later,

I read Hans Brinker, I knew just how he felt

a flawless glide, a frozen body tingling inside

I didn't know why it worked 

it was like fairies on one toe, leaving their dust behind

I was packed into a red snowsuit -

yes, just like Ralphie's brother -

mittens clipped to the sleeves

but I floated like a Disney fairy