Bear necessities

[sd gross]

Bear Necessities
by Stephen D. Gross

Ancient Spruce forests lick gently
the rough face of God
stream side, huddle willows
tongues thrust deep ‘neath
the churning turbulence
unrestrained bounding witness
to the savage river
where the mother Grizzly
teaches her young to employ
their perfect fine tools
their explosive quickness
lithe grace wrapped in muscle
steel bones sinew and fat
overall the immense
shaggy mane,
Pads like pillows
raise high the spray
Chrome steel knives
cleave currents in chaos
with fluent speed
Bright tail wildly thrashing,
a million droplets of water
reflect clear Northern sunlight
The shimmering scales
of the sinuous sockeye
rippling fire, like the
lash of a whip
But the cub
has not yet learned
the coup to deliver,
the terminal stroke
Mama stands self-assured
a volcano of power
with keen senses alert
Knowing the ancient code
will soon become clear and awake