The Dirigible Balloon
Poetry for Children

Skating Dreams

Freedom is gliding on crystalized rivers
and carving designs in the ice.
Twirling and swirling in dizzying circles,
my head is not feeling so nice.
Olympic gold medals take practice and effort—
discomfort is sometimes the price.

This spinning is making my tummy complain,
Will you please stop this nauseousness soon?
I’m out of control and ignoring the warnings
engrossed in a dreamy cocoon.
The lunch in my stomach is begging for cautiousness
lest it is upchucked and strewn…

all over the artwork so carefully crafted
with tactics of rhythmical sketching.
Why didn’t I listen? Will I ever learn?
It’s too late—I’m already retching.

About the Writer


Dianne Koebel-Pede

Dianne is a graduate of the Lyrical Language Lab, a former school counselor, teacher, reading specialist, inclusive education coordinator, and book reviewer for The Edmonton Journal. She serves on the CANSCAIP Board of Directors and hosts their online writing retreats. My Soccer Season was published in 2023. Her ADHD-themed picture book, My Race Car Brain, is slated for publication in 2025 by DC Canada. In 2024, Dianne received the Mary Bell Scholarship and participated in the WGA Mentorship Program.