The Lesson

[sd gross]

THE LESSON
by Stephen D. Gross

Ancient Spruce forests lick gently
the rough face of God
streamside, huddle willows
tongues thrust deep ‘neath
the churning turbulence
Hungrily intimate
with the savage river
where the sow Grizzly
teaches her young to employ
perfect fine tools
explosive quickness
lithe grace wrapped in muscle
steel sinew and fat
the immense shaggy hump
Pads like pillows raise high the spray
chrome knives
cleave currents in chaos
with fluid speed bright tail wildly thrashing
a million droplets of water
reflect the Northern light's dance
shimmering scales sinuous sockeye
rippling fire, the lash of a whip
but the cub knows not how
the coup to deliver
the terminal stroke
her volcano of power
Mama stands self-assured keen senses alert
The ancient code wakes, whispers its secrets
she chides gently guides wisely
by example with patience
in her crystalline temple
the immense blue-rooved school
where rainbows erupt from
the back of the stallion
whose mad prancing captures
every atom of light