Mushing Fever

by Kaelin Reiley

Seeley-Swan High School Grade 12

I. Night Run

Settin' up with the setting sun.

Pull the snowhook as darkness descends.

Unable to see anything beyond the

halo of your headlamp;

The dogs' breath coming back to you

in little puffs.

The thrill of the run amplified

by the all encompassing night.

II. Frostbite and Other Ailments

Get done with a fifty mile training run and

find that every part of your body aches

and there's a chill down to your bones.

Put the dogs up and give them some baited water;

they can rest while you soak in the tub

'til your fingers are raisins.

That's when you notice their purple

color and lack of feeling.

Looks like you can add frostbite

to the list of ills.

Not to worry, in a couple of days

they should be better.

And then, you'll go for another long run.

Oh, the joys of mushing.

III. The Race

Hear the cacophony of barks and howls

as you put harnesses on and hook up the team.

Twelve dogs, charged and ready to go;

pulling on the line, jerking the sled.

Wait the two minutes after the team before you.

Get to the start line; hear the countdown

Five, four, three, two, one, Go!

Sudden silence as you release the brake.

Your team charges down the trail,

pursuing the scent of the teams ahead.

One hundred miles to go, pure competition.

Who will win, whose team is, not quite the fastest,

but whose is the best?

No way to tell until tomorrow.

IV. The Finish Line

You've been running for nearly 24-hours,

with little rest throughout.

You finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Hear the footfalls of a team behind you.

The other driver calls "Trail."

You call your team over. You don't want to, but those are the rules.

See the other leaders out of the corner of your eyes;

the finish line is just ahead.

Now the leaders are barely behind yours.

It's going to be close.

neck and neck,

your team surges.

Cross the line, that was close,

but you won.