Insiders

the little ones wail and moan

as snow swirls through the air

we are bored; what can we do;

there are toys everywhere—

I hold my ears and try to think

of board games, crafts or books

but it will take so much more

judging by the stricken looks

So, I pull out every blanket

and set up every chair

arranging things strategically

in a perfect giant square.

We pitch our quilted tent,

and stock it full of food,

pretzels, cheese, and apple sticks

lift each child’s dreary mood.

We tell a dozen stories,

dressed in hats and coats

pretend we’re on a mountain,

as keepers of the goats.

The sound of little voices

and giggles fill my heart

the making of a day inside

is nothing less than art.

Arvilla Fee lives in Dayton, Ohio and teaches English for Clark State College. She has published poetry, photography, and short stories in numerous presses, including North of Oxford, Rat’s Ass Review, Mudlark, and many others. Her poetry books, The Human Side and This is Life, are available on Amazon. Her third book, Mosaic: A Million Little Pieces was published December 2024. Arvilla’s favorite quote in the whole word is: "It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.” ~ Henry David Thoreau. To learn more, visit her website: https://soulpoetry7.com/