Kept at Bay

Kept at Bay

They raced along the ice road on the bay.

It was a breakthrough! They were crude oil-bound

when they skidded off the path. The ice gave way —

since the ocean, liquifying day by day,

was loath to let trucks mount her back year-round.

They raced along the ice road on the bay,

flouting the chilly facts that might delay

their crossing. Since they weren’t on solid ground

when skidding off the path, the ice gave way

just as they closed in on their spoils. To pay

no heed to signs could sometimes get you drowned

while racing on an ice road. A melting bay

is often not enough for men to stay

on terra firma. No one heard a sound

as they skidded off the path. When the ice gave way,

did a pod of orcas snatch them? Were they prey

to polar bears? Tendrils of trouble wound

around them as they raced across the bay.

When they skidded off the path, the ice gave way.