The northern lights have been out nearly every night lately. Here they frame two umiak – seal skin boats used for the spring whale hunts.
A Whaler to his Son
This poem is
an empty sigluaq
a seal skin boat
a lookout camp
on a new lead
This poem is
your grandfather’s parka
a snow squall on the horizon
a polar bear’s track
imprinted in the snow
This poem is
a fluke flipped and sounding
in a silk-white wake
like stars
washed over the Chukchi
This poem is
our village
carved like scrimshaw
on an ivory dawn
the dim Arctic sun
small and perfect
as a bowhead’s eye.
.
*A sigluaq is an ice cellar dug into the tundra used to store whale meat (and other meat)
CutterLight 
“This poem is
our village
carved like scrimshaw
on an ivory dawn”
-love that, great attention to imagery!
Thanks Elizabeth. By the way, we agree with your comment about Richmond. It is definitely in and of the South.
Oh, I’m so glad you understand! People from the Deep South always try to fight me on it, but I just tell them they haven’t met the heart of the city yet.
But as much as I love Richmond, I wish that I could also be having the kind of traveling experience you all are!
Wow, wow, WOW!!!
Thanks Sydney. You’re the best!
Great shot. I love the umiaqs in the foreground. Makes me miss Barrow.
Thanks, Mike!
Absolutely amazing!
Thanks for putting smiles on our faces!
You’re welcome and thank you for all of your shares:)
That is a cool picture, thanks for the image!
Thanks, DW. We were surprised when we uploaded the images – that the boat and foreground came out as though it was done in black and white.
This is amazing photography. If you could please post this on the William H. Seward Yacht Club facebook and share your experiences with us. You need to do this! Most sailors imagine warm places to dream about but this certainly takes my breath away.
Thanks Piper! We went ahead and posted a link on the WHSYC page.