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
Copyright © Larry Bradfield | Year Posted 2016
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