-then what?  

the old gentleman is seen carting his goods to the inside

walking backward up the ramp to the doorway believing

It's easier to pull a cart than to push it. 

in November they lamented from the kitchen:

"this could be his last Thanksgiving".

but the test results are in so the endurance

required in carting his goods to the elevator appears doable.

this is the landscape,–– the cement-columned nine

story building with its fifth floor balcony overlooking the river

when turning his head to the left.

that would be facing north-northeast.

straight ahead from the balcony would be due east toward the city.

during the Autumn months the slow rise of the city's hill cannot

be seen through the foliage, but he can hear the sounds it makes.

there's no ready access westward.

that would take a voyage.

but to the right and southward lies Antarctica, an iced continent

which he's been told holds the key to biological rejuvenation,

and all he needs is the time necessary to venture that far

                                                                                       down

                                                                                           the river...