NPE | Chapter 22
The North Pole Epic
More in this series: Prologue, Ch. 1, Ch. 2, Ch. 3, Ch. 4, Ch. 5, Ch. 6, Ch. 7, Ch. 8, Ch. 9, Ch. 10, Ch. 11, Ch. 12, Ch. 13, Ch. 14, Ch. 15, Ch. 16, Ch. 17, Ch. 18, Ch. 19, Ch. 20, Ch. 21, Ch.22, Ch. 23
Workers gathered round respectfully As old Tomtem gave an impromptu eulogy. They placed Nicholas in a large ice box And melted the casing together, eternally locked. He lay in the center of the Capitol rotunda. Weeping against the box knelt Snihurońka. Neither Snihurońka nor Nic could manage to sing even the saddest song, So they all stood in cold silence for who knows how long. The only sounds were sniffles and small gasps With occasional stuttering, gurgly rasps. The silence was like snowfall, Eerie yet powerfully beautiful. Grief filled the air As the four negotiators slowly walked downstairs. No one looked at them or even noticed they were there Until the two goblins paid their respects to Nicholas Climbing up on the casket to kiss him on the head through the ice like glass. The workers stared in wonder As the goblins left peacefully without a word. As the doors closed behind them all eyes turned to Klasina and Shurshkenmöch Grieving faces pleading for good news about the fate of the North Pole.
“So many have died . . .” Tomten raised his voice, “In this freedom fight.” Tomten spoke as if to the stars. “We grieve their lives.” Tomten choked on emotion. “But, now is the time . . .” Tomten broke into sobs.
“Now is the time, Nic continued, “To hear what was decided.” Nic gave a cue. “For Klasina and Shurshkenmöch to describe The agreement our pain and labor have produced.” Shurshkenmöch stepped up and began to read From the document on which the parties had agreed. It was long and detailed With nothing in it to regale The crowd of weary elves. When Shurshkenmöch finished Klasina bore witness, Then she summarized the essential points. “We won!” Reverberated Klasina’s voice. The elves cheered and rejoiced. Red hats flew into the air. Workers hugged one another everywhere. “We’ve won.” Klasina repeated. “The goblin system is defeated.” The Pole has shifted, But, now, listen. The time to create has just begun.” Klasina looked to the North Star and pointed. “We have a vision to carry out. The power lies with all of us now. Each one of you is now appointed A role to help us fulfill it jointly. “We’ve cracked the norms. Begun to reshape the forms. “For good or for ill Is still a matter of will. “We have to make intentional decisions Through imagination within this vision “Level snow Or high drifts blow, On solid ice and afloat Or all drown painfully slow. “The shift is here! We put in the hours To make the shift and change the powers. Now we rise from the melting ice To make a new life in honor of those who died.” Klasina walked over to Snihurońka and Nic taking their hands. She asked them to sing the North Star song and she began, “North Star high Be our guide “Give us light In the dark As you fly Shining star “North Star high North Star high “Sharing giving Ever living” Nic paused to give a reminder. “This is the part that Nicholas died for . . .” “Be our guide In giving ways Help us shine And give away “North Star high In the night “We give and take All that we make We share our lives So all may thrive “Under the sky Of North Star light “North Star high Be our guide” The song closed and Snihurońka expounded, “We will give. That is how we will exist. “We will create a culture of generosity Without the expectation of reciprocity. “We will give and we will receive, But, it is in giving that we must believe.” Then came the deep voice of Shurshkenmöch His yeti rumble came low and slow, “And this begins with a very important thing On which we as negotiators agreed. We give the goblins everything They say they claim In all the goblin banks. “With that they agree to abide by votes For all positions of power and influence throughout the North Pole. “We’ll vote for our bosses. We’ll vote on what our job is. “We’ll vote for those who lead us And they may come from any of us.” “Today this begins!” Klasina broke in, “We must vote for numerous positions All of us, including the goblins.” Delineation continued until all were clear On what they needed to do right now and here.
