Lake Louise 1990

[Happy birthday Bec!]

We sneak ahead and wait behind
signs dug out from snow banks.
Listen close. Footsteps crunch through
old snow. Munition perfectly packed,
molded to mittened hands. We bite our lips
to keep from giggling and giving away our position.

Prey passes unaware, we emerge,
aim carefully at a black-wool coat,
then let loose the dogs of war.

My sister yells “look Jake,
a white-backed mommy!”
and we sprint off into the deep,
where heavier legs labor to follow.