Snow Dancers–A Story Poem for Children and Adults

NOTE:  On this December 8, 2021, ‘tis the season for us all to think magical and imaginative thoughts–to enjoy this holiday season through the bright and hopeful eyes of a child.  Although most of the selections in my book THE CHRISTMAS CARRIAGE AND OTHER WRITINGS OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON are for “mature” readers, my holiday giftbook does include at least two pieces which are specifically crafted for children and those who may read the story poems to the child.  (Yes, the print version of my book is still available on Amazon; for patrons of the Talking Book and Braille Libraries of the National Library Service, an audio version of my book may be downloaded as DBC 08305.  For information about ordering my book in braille from Audio and Braille Literacy Enhancement–ABLE of Milwaukee–please visit:

http://www.ablenow.org

To see a photo of my book’s festive cover, read another sample of my 101-page book, and find much more information about my holiday book, please visit my author’s page:

http://www.dldbooks.com/alicemassa/

Thanks!) 

In this WORDWALK post, I am sharing with you one selection from THE CHRISTMAS CARRIAGE AND OTHER WRITINGS OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON–a children’s story poem which I hope will also be enjoyable for adults–especially those who remember Fred Astaire (the famous dancer of early movie musicals, ten of which were with Ginger Rogers and Easter Parade with Judy Garland), Peggy Fleming (the graceful figure skater who was the only United States athlete to win a gold medal at the 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble, France), and Jake Tapper (anchor of CNN News and author).  I had fun transforming their names into characters for my poem.  The character named “Pretty Wintry” was inspired by a writer friend who says that one of her favorite words is “wintry.”  As I always say, my poems are not engraved into cement:  they are works-in-progress.  So, I have made a change in the date of the action in the poem and also added two lines to the end of this version of the poem.  During this holiday season, I hope you will enjoy reading this story poem to one of your little ones.

Snow Dancers

story poem by Alice Jane-Marie Massa

On the thirteenth of December,

precisely at three,

close to the most sparkling

evergreen tree,

All the Snow Angels stood up

and took flight.

This was to be their very special,

magical night–

a night to make dreams of dancing

come true

for snowmen that were built

by your brother and you.

The first Snow Angel zoomed down

and presented a pair of shiny tap shoes

to Snowman Jake who always likes to share

the neighborhood news.

Somehow the tap shoes were

a perfect fit.

Then, Snowman Jake sparkled into life

and did a split!

Fortunately, the Snow Angel’s gift

came with some directions and clues

so that Jake would know what to do

with the handsome tap shoes.

The Snow Angel said,

“You look mighty dapper.”

He replied, “Of course, I do: 

I am Jake the Tapper.”

The second Snow Angel ruffled her wings

in the windy weather.

She dropped onto the snow

a pair of ballet slippers and a feather.

The Snowgirl knew exactly

what to do.

Pretty Wintry laced up the pink slippers

and donned a tutu.

Upon the snow, she did

a perfect pirouette.

Then, Pretty Wintry, the Snowgirl,

danced a minuet.

The third Snow Angel gingerly flew down

from the top of the evergreen tree.

The Snowman Fred Eclair asked,

“Snow Angel, what do you have for me?”

“For you, I have some special soft shoes

for snow-ballroom dancing.”

As Fred Eclair danced, he sang,

“Look at me! 

Aren’t I enchanting?”

The Fourth Snow Angel gracefully glided

through double gold gates.

For Snowlady Peggy Frosting,

Snow Angel had dazzling silver skates–

figure skates for Peggy Frosting to wear

while dancing on the ice-covered lake.

“Look at her!  Look at her!

A triple salchow

without a mistake!”

The four Snow Angels

did their duty with dance.

The quartet of Snow Dancers

was not just by chance.

You and your brother made the snow figures

just right,

so they were specially selected

for the magical night.

At four in the morning,

the snow figures returned

to standing perfectly still.

The Snow Angels gathered the shoes

and placed each pair on a sill

so that good little children

could find them that day

and become fine Snow Dancers

as they practice and play–

awaiting, awaiting Santa Claus and his reindeer

on a snow-wished Christmas Day.

Enjoy snow dancing this holiday season!

Alice and Leader Dog Willow

December 8, 2021, Wednesday

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