Staying Alive David Wagoner Staying alive in the woods ... - Glencoe
Staying Alive David Wagoner Staying alive in the woods ... - Glencoe
Staying Alive David Wagoner Staying alive in the woods ... - Glencoe
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<strong>Stay<strong>in</strong>g</strong> <strong>Alive</strong><br />
<strong>David</strong> <strong>Wagoner</strong><br />
<strong>Stay<strong>in</strong>g</strong> <strong>alive</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>woods</strong> is a matter of calm<strong>in</strong>g down<br />
At first and decid<strong>in</strong>g whe<strong>the</strong>r to wait for rescue,<br />
Trust<strong>in</strong>g to o<strong>the</strong>rs,<br />
Or simply to start walk<strong>in</strong>g and walk<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> one direction<br />
5 Till you come out--or someth<strong>in</strong>g happens to stop you.<br />
By far <strong>the</strong> safer choice<br />
Is to settle down where you are, and try to make a liv<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Off <strong>the</strong> land, camp<strong>in</strong>g near water, away from shadows.<br />
Eat no white berries;<br />
10 Spit out all bitterness. . . .<br />
If you have no matches, a stick and a fire-bow<br />
Will keep you warmer,<br />
Or <strong>the</strong> crystal of your watch, filled with water, held up to <strong>the</strong> sun<br />
Will do <strong>the</strong> same <strong>in</strong> time. In case of snow<br />
15 Drift<strong>in</strong>g toward w<strong>in</strong>ter,<br />
Don’t try to stay awake through <strong>the</strong> night, afraid of freez<strong>in</strong>g--<br />
The bottom of your m<strong>in</strong>d knows all about zero;<br />
It will turn you over<br />
And shake you till you waken. If you have trouble sleep<strong>in</strong>g<br />
20 Even <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> best of wea<strong>the</strong>r, jump<strong>in</strong>g to follow<br />
With eyes stra<strong>in</strong>ed to <strong>the</strong>ir corners<br />
The unidentifiable noises of <strong>the</strong> night and feel<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Bears and packs of wolves nuzzl<strong>in</strong>g your elbow,<br />
Remember <strong>the</strong> trappers<br />
25 Who treated <strong>the</strong>m <strong>in</strong>differently and were left alone.<br />
If you hurt yourself, no one will comfort you<br />
Or take your temperature,<br />
So stumbl<strong>in</strong>g, wad<strong>in</strong>g, and climb<strong>in</strong>g are as dangerous as fly<strong>in</strong>g. . . .<br />
But if you decide, at last, you must break through<br />
30 In spite of all danger,<br />
Th<strong>in</strong>k of yourself by time and not by distance, count<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Wherever you’re go<strong>in</strong>g by how long it takes you;<br />
No o<strong>the</strong>r measure<br />
Will br<strong>in</strong>g you safe to nightfall. Follow no streams: <strong>the</strong>y run<br />
35 Under <strong>the</strong> ground or fall <strong>in</strong>to wilder country.<br />
Remember <strong>the</strong> stars<br />
And moss when your m<strong>in</strong>d runs <strong>in</strong>to circles. If it should ra<strong>in</strong><br />
Or <strong>the</strong> fog should roll <strong>the</strong> horizon <strong>in</strong> around you,<br />
Hold still for hours<br />
40 Or days if you must, or weeks, for see<strong>in</strong>g is believ<strong>in</strong>g<br />
In <strong>the</strong> wilderness. And if you f<strong>in</strong>d a pathway,<br />
Wheel-rut, or fence-wire,<br />
Copyright © <strong>Glencoe</strong>/McGraw-Hill
Retrace it left or right: someone knew where he was go<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Once upon a time, and you can follow<br />
45 Hopefully, somewhere. . . .<br />
Copyright © <strong>Glencoe</strong>/McGraw-Hill