preoccupied

the rink’s leaking
i noticed a small 
pool of water 
in the corner
on tuesday

saturday now
the pool is now
a slide of slushy mix
starting to run
into my neighbour’s yard
thank goodness he had a rink for years
knows the deal

ice level is still stable
twenty-four thousand liters of water 
still hemmed in
but the rink’s leaking

world class rink liner
brand new this year
a white wizard bearing brawn
beyond measure
but the rink’s leaking

sticks snapping shots
pucks pinging posts
seven skaters strong
but the rink’s leaking

two by twelves
two by eights
two by fours
mending plates galore
no give anywhere
in a thousand square feet
could be someone’s home
but the rink’s leaking

out for the third time today
freeze tag (and toes, too)
followed by what time is it
mrs. wolf laughter
lilting in the light
but the rink’s leaking

it’s all I see
the rink’s leaking

Written by Scott Moore
Illustrated by Landon Wideman

Inspired January 2022