9 Comments
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A.J. Sky's avatar

For this girl born and raised where both black and grizzly bears roam, this one struck a deep chord. ♥️

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George P Farrell's avatar

Beautiful piece. I’ve lived with black bears in upstate NY. Never had a problem.

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Jody L. Collins's avatar

Sally, the God-leaning lessons you share with us from Creation around you never cease to amaze me....

Here's to "minding our berry-business," choosing peace over injury when we can do harm.

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Sean Archer's avatar

Powerful words! Ever read Shardik? When I think of bears I think of Shardik. Then I think of how Watership Down was fed to us as children and we were at once horrified and fascinated.

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Switter’s World's avatar

Two nights ago, when my wife and I were driving home very late, an old wild apple tree next to our narrow road, shook, and a plump black bear dropped onto the road and trotted ahead of us for a few hundred yards.

I agree with you. I would rather face the bear’s array of defense options than those of our species.

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Mairi Bontorno's avatar

My husband and I recently moved to New York state, and our fist week, ahead of us on the road, we saw a black bear loping across the road. It was a beautiful, startling, magical experience that we still talk about. I love your poem, and the thoughts about it as well.

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Frank's avatar

S.E., I found this very calming, after my initial reaction of a burst of apprehension for you and the dogs. It wasn't until after I read the whole piece as it illuminated us, humanity, that I could reread and really grasp the verse in its whole. We, as predators dangerous to our fellow humans and to every other living thing, have a choice to embrace peace and acceptance, to live with tolerance...or not and suffer the cost!

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Shell Norman's avatar

Wow! This is powerful.

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David Simpson's avatar

Lovely. I have seen more black bears, living and lively, than badgers - always dead by the roadside - licking my wing mirrors, bowling down a mountain with her cubs

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