Orphaned Islands (Un)poetry

Aluminium and rectangular
I had never seen one
but knew immediately – closing shadow in a dark street
camera flash alert to a different future.
The doctor said I could go
the plaster cast hard enough.
I could hear the removers behind the curtains.

Good news often takes the scenic route
bad news the expressway – always.
My workmates already knew. And how.
A big night out
very much worse for wear
his buddies had put him to bed
to sleep it off. Forever.

In the passenger shack
the command pilot briefed travellers
demonstrating the fitting of life jackets
immersion suits and ear plugs
how to exit the aircraft on the ground
and in water.

And

“ tonight we’re carrying a body
a Hercules is a working aircraft
you’re free to move around the cargo hold
. . . . . . just think how you’d feel if it was your brother.”

For the back story click Backstage

The officer in charge was puzzled
said he didn’t understand
why people wanted to ski
“ when you’ve got the bar.”
The bar
the military understood bars
had much history of drinking as recreation
the OIC a barroom champion himself.

We appealed to the captain
who said he couldn’t see the harm
said it was okay by him
if it was okay with the OIC at the airfield
a nod and a wink.
The OIC grumbled assent.

It was known as the Willy Road
a 7 mile snow highway
linking McMurdo town to Williams Airfield
graded and rolled to ice rink hard.
Cross country ski heaven
push with poles
shift onto edge
and glide
and glide
the perfect surface
infinity’s ribbon
friction so absent
concentration wasn’t…. until.

The duty doctor said the thumb was broken
reflex he said
protecting the head.
The nurse bustles comfort
“ lucky you…you’ll get to go home early.”
Three doctors, two very senior, arrive with urgency
“everybody out NOW!”
The nurse said it would be difficult
casting was at a delicate point.

Curtains are pulled
voices murmur rising to . . . . “zero eight fifteen.”
the echo of pen on clipboard unmistakable.
Three emerge peeling off latex gloves
“contact the CO
and inform next of kin.”

To learn more click backstage