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Julia Casterton

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Staying Alive In The Cold

Here, where your plane has crashed
on the ice, and your companions are dead,
one of a slipped and broken neck,
one of a baby that would not come out,
one because he wasn’t prepared to go through with
what you know you will -

Keep moving. Try not to reflect on events.
Keep your body active and your mind still.
If you’re near the sea
eat seaweed and drink snow in handfuls.
Don’t take your gloves off.
Anything that leaves your body will freeze.

Rest after eating. Sing to keep your spirits up
but even this takes energy.
You’ll be very tired, too tired
to walk any distance to void.
Void where you are. It doesn’t matter.

If you come down inland and nothing’s growing,
not even leaves, eat your dead friends.
It’s easy after the first bite, and their bodies
are hospitable to your aching teeth.
Remember they are dead.

Make a fire if you can
but if your legs are broken
try to move every part.
Once they’re frozen you’ll have to cut them off.
You lose whatever ceases to move.

If you know that someone will come,
they probably will. If your heart sinks
you die. Nothing’s certain but that.
Try not to wonder if in the end
it will all be worth it.
It may be.

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