paddles lean 
on fence rails
(perhaps it’s
vice versa?)
logs built cabin
“up north” on
Isle of Pines.
lattice work
skirts porch,
window panes
frame scenery,
rough wood shakes
cover roof above
old plank floors.
sheltering trees
of old forest,
clusters of soft
pine needles,
dark ripples on
peeling bark,
scattered cones.
survival skills
for every season:
gardening, canning,
hauling supplies,
fishing, feeding birds,
chopping firewood,
cutting ice blocks.
preserves on shelf,
deer stew in pot
clothing on hooks,
stacks of wood,
crackle of ham radio,
hiss of teapot steam,
snowshoes by door.
Ms. Dorothy,
sole proprietor,
brews ‘n bottles
her homemade
root beer for
thirsty canoeists
who put ashore.
a poem in my pocket 
Aug 23, 2014 @ 00:57:50
Such a charming country life ~ I really like those preserves and home made root beer ~ Enjoyed your lovely share ~
Aug 22, 2014 @ 17:19:51
very atmospheric…a wonderful sketch 🙂
Aug 22, 2014 @ 16:25:29
Sounds rewarding though hard. Lovely picture you’ve painted with your words.
Aug 22, 2014 @ 13:17:34
There is such a feel of “summer” here. There is something of the adventure, of something extraordinary steeped in history but also unique. This pattern is mirrored in the layout of your poem and the way we explore it with you. Well done.
Aug 22, 2014 @ 13:02:55
I can picture this so clearly as my in-laws are in MN and ND. Nice setting that you create in this and a life style well-described too. Hard-working mid-westerners! I married one.
Aug 22, 2014 @ 12:26:47
What a wonderful place to visit.. From your first lines I wanted to be in that wood.. (but the harshness of winter is another thing)
Aug 22, 2014 @ 12:17:41
Sounds lovely! I haven’t been anywhere similar to that since childhood. We have ‘up north’ in my state too.
Aug 22, 2014 @ 10:55:50
Sounds like a difficult life but pretty nice too, lovely cadence. k.
Aug 22, 2014 @ 03:05:44
fantastic, loved to recite it.
Aug 22, 2014 @ 02:38:03
oh i wanna try her rootbeer….mm hmmm…ha…i love places like this…the year before i was married i lived in a place similar, a converted hunting shack, wood heat…it was awesome….