Wisdom acquired

Winter at the Model Boat Pond

Once a gangly tangle, of legs not well controlled,

A skinny frame and fuzzy puppy face,

Eager to explore, not wise, too bold,

With joyful bounce I leapt onto thin ice...

A nasty shock ensued, the ice gave way,

The model boat pond water chilled my core,

I panicked, and my limbs would not obey

My frozen brain, I could not reach the shore.

Gail to the rescue! Her long arms 

Reached out and grabbed me firmly round the trunk

And saved me from more self-inflicted harm,

And hard I learned the dangers of a winter dunk.

So ten years on, and sensibly attired,

My Nordic sweater proof against the chill, 

I calmly pose beside the frozen pond, wisdom acquired.

Of reckless youthful capers, I have had my fill!