Hard Trails, Lean Dogs or Life of Ease

Hard Trails, Lean Dogs or Life of Ease: A Book of Northern Rhymes is a collection of snapshots—moments and thoughts from along the trail of author Darren Phillips’ life—accompanied by beautiful imagery from the Canadian North.

It is a collection of free flowing poetry and rhymes: with stories that invite you to sit down at the table, have a drink or a “good” cup of coffee, say hello to the dogs and listen to a story or twelve.

It is a reflection on Northern Living—old and new: mostly funny, often irreverent and thoughtful; but always entertaining! Phillips covers themes familiar to Canadians and all Northerners alike: life, death, love, working away, religion, drinking, animals, adventure, and so much more. Through short and entertaining rhymes, readers of all ages will find content that inspires them to laugh or reflect, and at times, both!

Recognizing our mortality, Phillips challenges readers to live while they’re alive. Told in part through story—telling and prose/through poetry and rhyme—Hard Trails, Lean Dogs or Life of Ease inspires readers to laugh, wonder, create, and not take themselves or life too seriously. As above all, Hard Trails, Lean Dogs or Life of Ease was written for fun.

It is a distraction from everyday life that you will think about throughout the day—as it is “Far From Normal”, unless, of course, you’re a local!