We left no footprints
because we cleared them off
after us, with mighty brooms.
For the entire second half
of the expedition, we walked backwards
sweeping, facing what we were leaving
reeling and unreeling. The meteors
also moved left to right, a tribute. It was as if
we were not there, that is how there
we were; we left that terrain
more virgin than before we had been
that is how beloved to us it was.
We sealed all the mines
and refroze the lakes, with care.
It was purely for the pleasure
of it, this visit, which must make
so little sense to you. After all
we could not live there in absolutes
no matter how good our good snowshoes.