25 April 1848 [Crozier & Fitzames]

[roesslyng]

Title: 25 April 1848
Fandom: The Terror - Dan Simmons novel
Characters/Pairing: Captain Francis Crozier and Captain James Fitzjames
Rating: 0+
Length: 28 lines poetry
Summary: And start tomorrow, 26th, for Back's Fish River.
Other: From the scene at the Ross cairn. This was one of my favourite scenes in the novel; I hope the TV series will include it.



25 April 1848

In this barren land our laughter rings
leaves us gasping
the ink freezing in its pot
tears frosting our eyelashes
as you say in full honesty
you would raise a toast for me
at the end of this.

Just a moment ago
your voice's shaking rivalled
my shivered scribbles
on Franklin's letterhead
a trembling confession of our losses
exposing his lie with our addition:
All is not well.

Now we've faced
the monster in miniature
heavy footsteps circling
coal-black eyes peering
only one shot to send it packing
a startled cub fleeing
leaving us laughing at our own fear.

Oh, what I would give
to share a drink with you
by the comfort and light
of a warm fireside
as tobacco smoke coils
toward the ceiling
in a world we will never know again.