The Last Battle of Winter Break

Never did we let a winter pass
without building a fort of snow,
built to fend off invaders.

Shelves carved into the walls
were always piled high with munitions
snowballs packed and stacked
ready and waiting.

We would climb the highest tree
a lookout perched in its branches for unending minutes
withstanding the winter winds.

We were armed and ready
though the invading forces never came,
our fortress walls remained unbreached.

Giving up the war we would fall in
heading for the house
one after the other
lining the basement steps
with snow filled boots,
damp mittens, scarves and hats,
our coats hung to dry.
These were the casualties of our war.

We were always rewarded for our bravery
with hot mugs of cocoa
warming our insides
as we perched ourselves over the furnace vent
hoping to thaw our fingers and toes.

It was always the saddest time
when we were forced to return to our school books
leaving the battlefield deserted.

The last battle of winter break
never fought.

© Michele Markley 2009