North Country

an ice carved land
between the lakes
from windswept beach
to ancient hills

adorned with pine
and pictured rock
where autumn shines
on crystal streams

a land of moose
and howling wolves
lashed by gales
and winter snow

a cool retreat
from summer's sun
this wild domain
of green and gray

Parents

a life bestowed
a gift of joy
advice received
approval sought

and then in time
their rules despised
our trust is lost
our faith betrayed

but later still
their wisdom clear
when we ourselves
have young to raise

and in the end
their traits assumed
for we are they
and they now us