An Annual Ski Haiku Story

Heading out alone

Without plans or direction

I climbed the mountain

Left, right, left, right, left

Gliding with steady rhythm

I traveled along

My thoughts were my own

I found calm in the forest

Observing the trees

Eventually,

I reached the first ski shelter

And enjoyed "mountain water"

I sat for a time

Sipping, thinking, enjoying

Appreciating

I put my skis on

And began climbing again

Still without a plan

When I reached Roundtop

Snow began falling anew

I smiled as I watched

I snapped some photos

Observing distant figures

Emerging from snow

Adam and Paul, friends

Descending from the mountain

I called a greeting

As I had no plan

I opted to follow them

Back down the mountain

We zipped down the trail

Whooping and hollering joy

As we made our turns

Back at the shelter

We greeted many more friends!

A pleasant surprise

Chatting and smiling,

We discussed where to ski next.

Off to the orchard!

Across the mountain,

Over a creek, through the woods

We emerged up high

Powder everywhere

It was completely untouched

Gleeful, we climbed on

Upward and upward

To the top of the drift line

Smiling skiers climbed

Then, one at a time

They each enjoyed powder turns

Smiling all the while

I captured their joy

Moments of raw happiness

Preserved in photos

The sun descended

And the skiers followed suit

Smiles on every face

Drinks and snacks were shared

As we reflected fondly 

On each perfect turn

While some continued

Back up the mountain for more

I bid them adieu

Left, right, left, right, left

Gliding with steady rhythm

I traveled back home

A night without plans

Became just what I needed

Funny how that works