Sail Far North
For Farley Mowat
I want to sail far north
where Vikings once were seen
rowing long ships
through Arctic seas
I want to sail into
summer
until those days when sun
stood still
then go farther on when days were waning
knowing each day risked more
of over wintering
never returning
deadly for some
who turned back too late
dangerous for us
we who went on
we who went on
past midsummer's day
lucky we found a river
teeming with fish
teeming with fish
so we'd survive if we gave time
for our lives depended
we hunt and fish
make provision
to overwinter
between knowing and unknowing
sheltered under an upturned boat
how many months could we count
when days are dark
no way to count hours
when time stops still
what warmth would we have
with a wall of stones beneath our
boat
what oil could we burn
assuming we could light it
when there was only moonlight
stars wheeling above
clear nights in winter
a blazing moon bright stars
showing far horizons fabulous places
where giant snow dragons
played in moonlight
I want to sail far north
to those far off days
when all those fabled places
had other names
copyright © Dick Russell 2014
No comments:
Post a Comment