I spent a lot of time breaking in my own Black Beauties, a tough pair of skates that gave me calluses before I could jump properly. The air is cold, the ice is even colder and landing on a blade hurts like no other. There is a lot of discomfort in ice skating and the constant fear of brutal failure numbs confidence. However, I made the connection. the fact that the skater "grows up" to become a woman and the jump, as I myself spent many hours trying to land my axle I was happy that my background research reinforced my previous analysis; given Kooser's perspectives on aging and time, it would make sense that he would choose an agile skater to represent elegance, the perfect way to freeze mortality I think Kooser uses "Skater" to present a simple truth. and beautiful. Vivid images convey the power and elegance of the skater without us having to try or use our imagination. For some, the seedless grape is enough to capture the ice skating experience, perhaps evoking a smile or fond memory in the reader. For those compelled to explore the deeper flavors behind this small, sweet poem, we find mortality and time beautifully compressed into a single waltz.