Fur, Foil, Friends

Bears are warm and witty
Wise and good companions
They speak with clarity and grace
About the painful truths that haunt us all
And with their words help put the world to right
Once roused, they are a fearsome foe
But settle soon, and are prepared to hug
And offer paws of peace
To smaller mammals

Badger is quite pleased
To have a Bear as friend

Waiting Game

My half unfocused gaze
Rests lightly on your chest
My only task to breathe, relax and wait
While wrapping your attention in my
Dance of back and forth, of glide and bounce

There is no deadline to be met
No urgency to force the meeting of our blades
This is a challenge match of patience
A race to be the last to launch an act
In which the victor revels in defense
The vanquished victim to his own attack

In a world of options without end
Success dwells in narrowing the choice
One road is to dominate and seize control
The other, softer path to wait with open mind
Gently cultivating space that shapes opponents’ acts
Catch whatever comes and bend it to your will

The lesson taught?
Do only that which must be done

Morning After

Bag of dirty clothes
A medal in my pocket
Warmth of parting hugs