A Different Side of the lake - Campbell Parsons
As the wind brushed my cold cheeks
And as the snow crunches by each step I take
I feel something different
The Canadian winter is incredible
I have walked there in the summer
But on these cold days the lake shore feels different
Although the winter looks calm the creatures of the forest are still near by
The rabbit’s foot steps are lying in the light powder on the beach.
I feel something different
The forest still feels warm to me
As I walk along the beach I breathe in the fresh air
I feel the cold as the snowflakes fall upon my hair
I can only imagine the warmth of the hot chocolate I will drink later
But for now ill bask in natures great changesI feel something different
I winter is such a different placeI could stay there forever



Campbell Parson’s ‘A Different Side of the lake’ is sensually powerful poem depicting the Canadian winter. Clearly, the author has an acute sense of poetic communication. I personally enjoy the comparison of the Canadian summer and winter. Among the plethora of Canadian themes, I have always personally viewed ‘seasonal variation’ as fundamental. Although Campbell stress of visual description can be ascertained, he has extensively described feeling and sound as well. Having experienced this atmosphere, I am able to relate to the poem, and it’s acutely accurate sensory depiction brings me right to the chilly shore of a wintery lake. To me, the strongest images are those in which Campbell ‘imagines’ and ‘remembers’ warmth and security. When in this cold environment, one cannot help to hope for the sun, a warm drink and the indoors. I feel as though more effort should have been applied to writing a poem with a meter or rhyme scheme. Despite one’s natural repulsion from the bitter, hostile climate, the location’s natural beauty overpowers, leaving the visitor with a positive impression. Especially poetically, this phenomenon is difficult to communicate, but Campbell is effective in doing so.
-Daniel Mitropolsky