in the far north
where the dogs do run
along snow covered tracks
of a never setting sun
there lives a people
with a resilient grace
of close knit community
in a frozen desolate place
fur from the seal,
caribou and bear
clothes to survive
the bitter cold air
to conquer the distance
of the bare frozen plain
their dogs pull sledges
across the frozen domain
skilled in the ways
of the hunt and trap
over bareless terrain
experience their map
from skin covered kaiaks
they hunt for whales
cut holes in ice for
fish and evasive seals
throughout the winter
when the sun doesn\'t shine
northern lights and story
tales help pass the time
their life is their world
stretching silently white
a community unto itself
living an unfettered life
what will be lost
cannot be explained
by society\'s encroachment
their lifestyle maintained?