Watch out!

Me, some skis, and speed -

Watch out! A line of skiers

Fall like dominoes.

***

I love skiing but it is fair to say that I am a clumsy skier, lacking finesse and sometimes control but big on enthusiasm and when I can, I like to go fast. As long as my thighs aren't burning, I'm fine.

I am also not short of embarrassing incidents but having the time to write about them is a different thing. However, senryus are short and sweet, unless you are one of the skiers in this poem.

On my first skiing holiday, I did knock down a whole row of learners. I apologised before I went on my way, having also landed quite firmly in the snow at the feet of the instructor who was the only one in the line still standing. Obviously, he was more nimble than his pupils. What I remember most about this was not the anger of the fallen skiers nor my embarrassment at what I had caused to happen but the instructor giving me a friendly hair ruffle, as you would to a dog with personality that has bounded up to you, and him muttering something soft in Italian. I have no idea what but I do remember feeling quite touched by this, for some reason. No anger, no chastisement - just a friendly pat before I went on my way.

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