Erasing my footprints

A Villanelle capturing the struggle, revelation, survival and fate of an early Canadian explorer.

I feel death’s cold white mask before my face
We venture onward with forgotten cause
The blizzard wind my footprints will erase

I race a mocking deer at her light pace
For rest would be the end and not a pause
I feel death’s cold white mask before my face

Her majesty- though last, I bring disgrace
For whom do I explore and reap applause?
The blizzard wind my footprints will erase

Having come so far I must embrace
The moose’s death to feed a crowd of jaws
I feel death’s cold white mask before my face

Surviving- on a scroll my route I trace
For every wolf and black bear; and because
The blizzard wind my footprints will erase


As bleeding icicles my limbs replace
With honour I shall let her win the clause

I feel death’s cold white mask before my face-
The blizzard wind my footprints will erase!