Down the Mountain

By Ellen Pearson

                  As I stand on the high point of the mountain, everything is laid out like a map below me. I shiver, but not from cold, from excitement.

                “All right, let’s get in a line” Elena ordered.  We obediently formed a shaky, but unmistakable line,  as we followed Elena down the white and frosted mountain. 

                “Let’s go to the left.”  I set my weight on my right foot and leg.  I could feel myself gradually change direction.

                “The right.”  I change the side of my weight.

                “STOP!”  I slide suddenly to a stop in front of my teacher.  Right then, I lose balance and fall. I go over the steps in my head.

                Point your skis the way you want to go. Then make a rainbow. Then…get up.

                Pointing my skis downhill, I slip silently, like a shadow.   All the while muttering  “left, right, left, right.

                I straighten out just as I disappear, or seem to, blend into the snow.  Slow, faster, fast.  Streaking, sliding, skiing.