South of Fort Chipewyan
I was alone once on an ice road
South of Fort Chip along the Delta,
The Northern lights danced
in electrical elegance
to a static background, like the birth
of the universe resonating
in shades of green and pink.
soft new snow.
My spit crackled and froze before
reaching the ground.
I walked a few paces away from the
warmth and security of the
truck then heard the wolves sing
their night lament, my long exhale
hung heavy in the air.
Like a Jack London
short story, on instinct for survival
the dog left the man to freeze
to death.
Tired and cold I moved slowly back to the
Ford idling over the frozen wetlands
and Delta land along the Athabasca.
The most beautiful place I had ever seen
I vowed wherever I lived, no matter how far,
I would drive this road once again
on a night just like this.
Marty Rempel
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