I Am Not Afraid

Wilderness! My God at the wilderness Always I have been here, but never this alone Never without some means of transport -yet so I am What choice to make, what direction for survival As if I've never faced a choice before - Do not panic Do not leave the outcome of my life to chance I did not come here as a fool - I am prepared And I am intelligent..only fear will kill me And I am not afraid The choice to travel is clear...do I take a summer place Uninhabited this time of year and 150 miles - Or do I choose a trapper's abode at 50 miles farther And in the opposite direction..It is clear to go To the trapper's place....farther, but certain life will be there I have a survival kit..I strap on my skis and turn to the South Darkness fills this land for twenty hours these days But the moon is full and the skies cloudless..it will suffice.. I set my course by the stars and hear the hiss of the skis And I am not afraid Guided by the stars I ski above the timberline for safety From the corner of my eye I see the snowpack slip into avalanche A left turn and crouch into a downhill run, I stay seconds ahead of death Then a quick tight turn and my speed takes me uphill out of the path into The safety of a cave mouth...also the hibernation bed of a black bear In the darkness a mighty roar and the thrust of my skinning knife An artery cut and a bear's death gives me the food to last the journey Two days later the smell of bacon leads me to the trappers cabin...safety.. I turn my gaze to the stars and marvel at my smallness .... I smile And I am not afraid December 27, 2016