Ross Island
portal to the South Pole.
Scott and Amundsen arrived in 1910
departing to footnote and immortality
adventurers seeking glory for ego and country
science a hitchhiker contributing to the costs.
In 1956 science was in the driver’s seat
chauffeuring International Geophysical Year
and the United States into a permanent presence
bringing the Navy for logistics.
Food becomes rations
catering henceforth messing
transport rechristened pax movements
cargo ops – formerly freight.
IGY finished in 1958
science stayed on
so did the Navy
contracting out less glamorous functions.
Want to go to Antarctica?
Sure do.
Want to earn good money?
Sure do.
1200 people fed in 90 minutes
three times a day
pot washing for eight hours at a time.
Are you up to it?
Sure am.
For the story behind a story click Backstage
Orphaned Islands (Un)poetry 