Sail Far North

   for Farley Mowat

I want to sail far north

where once long ships

were seen where darkness never comes

sailors!

I want to sail far into summer

until those days when sun stands still

then go farther on when days start waning

knowing each day risks more

of over wintering 

never returning

deadly for some

who turned back too late

dangerous for us

who went on

past midsummer's day

lucky we found a river

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

even minutes drag on

what warmth would we have

with a wall of stones beneath our boat

what oil could we burn

assuming we could light it

stars wheeling above

clear nights in winter 

a blazing moon   

showing far horizons  

fabulous places

where giant creatures

played in moonlight

I want to sail far north

to those far off days

when all those fabled places

had other name

copyright © Dick Russell 

        2014, 2023