Monday, April 9, 2012

TREKKING NORTHWOODS

photo: jude genereaux

TREKKING NORTHWOODS
by Jude Genereaux

I’ve stayed on the straight and narrow
pretty much all my life
she said, explaining why
she would not spend anymore time listening
to his crazy love talk, especially
not at this stage of life with
kids grown, life in order, future secure;
and continued writing her daily lists.

Then you missed
he said
all the logging trails
that twist and turn into the
darkest part of the northwoods, winding,
running to unexpected
surprises, breathtaking
waterfalls, primitive
peaceful glens
otherwise unknown

she looked across the road
into the heart of the hardwood forest
laid down her pencil.



~ first published by The Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts & Letters