"The Bear"

    “The Bear”

A lonesome bear I once saw,
as I stood with camera on a wall.
He was tossing boulders looking for grubs,
less than the meals he found in dumps.

On a mountain top not far from the road,
ignoring us all because he was bold.
His rock flipping search, both near and far,
accompanied by handouts from passing cars.

With fear I stationed not 30 feet away.
And camera focused as legs held sway.
But in the lens was more than a bear.
It was freedom he had without a care.

And jealousy began to fill my heart.
He had what I wanted, but couldn't impart.
I smiled as he sauntered across the ground.
He was at home and I far from town.

Shenandoah's finest had captured my awe.
On a warm summers' day along that wall.
That burly wanderer, alone and free.
As he lumbered out of sight among the trees.

            S A Gibbins    1993