Category: Antarctica

For seven years, from the mid 1980’s until the early 90’s, I worked at McMurdo Station, Antarctica. This is the Antarctica I saw working in a kitchen feeding 1200 people in summer, and 200 in winter. Antarctica records the tics and quirks of a world of compulsion – military personnel were sent without choice – and abdication. For many civilians it was an exile of ready money and fled responsibilities. It’s not completely truthful. Some of what occurred is so bizarre as to be not credible and has been omitted. This is one person’s story. It’s not a film. It’s a series of still photographs. The first three posts are scene setting. Because we were all very young – names have been changed – youth provides both an excuse and explanation for what later may cause cringe. Anyone who was there will recognise these obvious contrivances.

Posted in Antarctica

Remand

Posted on by tq1695

High above the river
gorse fraudulently beautiful in the robes of flower
rushes down to the water
like children escaping the classroom.

Overhead a bold sun
welcome and unshielded
as it always was before melanoma
watercolour blue sky
infinitely empty.
Vacant – the vacancy of escaped dreams.

Silence is illusion
attention can hear
birdsong
seed burst
breeze couriered bee murmurings.
A low growl….. a mating call
a freight train greets its siding date.

Distance shrinks diesel smokestacks to childhood memory
clockwork replica orbiting English villages
moulded perfection
vicarious participation
engines, signals, stations. Innocence.

Consummation complete, the trains separate
one becomes two  –  then none.
The chapter is finished, the sun moves
so must I.

Mornings are for cleaning, afternoons receiving guests
this is how I spend my exile
menial work
low pay.
Here there are no questions – this town knows refugees
false documentation is passed without scrutiny.

For the story behind a story click Backstage

Posted in Antarctica

Faded

Posted on by tq1695

Career?
People often ask.

Long ago
flimsy memories
tattered
the torn packaging
discarded from a stolen present.

Nothing remains
no photograph
no occasional drink.

How long?

Time enough to develop a sense of self
make one good friend
attend two conferences
gather a few acquaintances
learn about operating budgets
that your workplace does have a blindside
and it’s better not to find out.

For the story behind a story click Backstage