"The Cremation of Sam McGee"

"The Cremation of Sam McGee" is a narrative poem by Robert W. Service that tells the story of a man's promise to his friend, Sam McGee, to cremate him after he dies in the freezing Klondike. Sam is afraid of being buried in the cold ground, so he asks his friend to burn his body instead. Despite the harsh cold and difficulties, the narrator keeps his promise, ultimately finding and cremating Sam's body in a makeshift fire. The poem explores themes of friendship, loyalty, and the harshness of the Yukon wilderness.