A Poem: “Close To Heart”

 

You told me

your friend lives nearby.

 

You meant

eight hours away on gravel roads

through forests and jagged peaks,

crossing creeks and rugged canyons

on narrow wooden bridges,

encountering a grizzly or two

and next service 366 km.

 

Welcome to the Yukon!

 

(Editor’s note: poet Shai Ben-Shalom, an Israeli-born biologist, examines current events in the Blacklock’s tradition each and every Sunday)

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