Amanda Makar, age 33. Residing in Port Protection. And learning. Drawing upon her native lore. And advice from friends.

 

They rely.

Rely for sure

On each other.

“Respond, adapt for better

Tomorrows.”

The Bush and its

Produce

Water

Firewood

Beaver pelts,

Fresh air full

Of scented messages

For the dogs

Well scented noses and ears

Alerting to fears.

Amanda is out for meat.

Bear, deer, muskrat

With that shiny new rifle, scope

And ammo.

They were the only

Cash purchases

Over the entire year

Plus high test fishing line

Coupla lures, guaranteed to capture.

Alongside Mary of middling years.

Most fear conquered

Bagging a bear

Felling a big tree

With Curly Leach’s astute guidance.

School is in session

Five days out of seven

At Port Protection, Alaska.

Others contribute from 

Personal wisdom

Trial and error

Sweat and backbone.

Old Gary Muehlberger and his Lab Trapper, Sam Carlson and son Matt, Mary Miller, Timbi and Hans Porter. For chopped, hauled firewood, duck eggs, halibut slabs, clams dug, Orca sighted. Weather and tides permitting. Geese honking against those clouds. Their mystic cacaphone never to be forgotten. As the face-on wind amplifies a symphony.