He rises from the ice
like a formidable foe
of the frozen tundra
animal pure and craftily cunning
on the hunt
ice bound and stealthy.
He stalks the likes of man
assigning him an order
way down from seals and such
human flesh is weak
not a delicacy.
it’s all about the hunt, there.
He dives magnificently,
driven by hunger
his strength is massive
his white teeth brilliant
against pulsing red blood…
the little animals
round him tread lightly
and on the oil rig
rising in the icy distance
men survey the horizon
with a cautious eye…
You paint quite a picture with your words.
Yep, I’ve been watching the Nature Channel again 🙂
I like how humans are not the top choice on the polar bear menu, that we are “weak, not a delicacy” yet we “survey the horizon with a cautious eye.” An apt description of a wild and beautiful creature. Well done! 🙂
Thank you, Joan. I used to know someone who worked on oil rigs in Alaska which gave me some insight.
Reblogged this on John Cowgill's Literature Site and commented:
By the very great L. T. Garvin.
Thank you, John 🙂
You are very graciously welcome L. T. Garvin.
I also like how you illustrated his superiority by illustrating man’s inferior ability.
Thanks, Bernadette. We are rather paltry compared to those phenomenal creatures…
Lana, I like the way you didn’t put a picture first and instead you let your words lead…wonderful description capturing the polar bears – from their perspective almost. Us humans low down on their scale and all we can do is watch with caution. Loved this. Well done.
Thanks so much, Annika. I’m glad you noticed that. I was originally trying to come up with a more ambiguous title so that you would have to read into the poem for awhile without knowing it was a bear right off. They are beautiful, magnificent creatures and I’m sad about how global warming is affecting them.
My son always loved polar bears! It makes me sad to think that, with the ice caps melting, they might one day be a thing of the past. Right now, they just look cuddly, don’t they?!
They do! They rather look like they would be so lovable, ha ha. Yes, I hate that global warming is having a terrible impact on their habitat. I guess we can always hope that it reverses to some degree.
I wonder why some inventor hasn’t come up with a portable freezer that would keep the cold parts of our globe cold enough to sustain life. And frankly, a portable freezer sounds pretty good on our 90-degree days, ha!
You would think they could do something like that. Such a great idea. Seems also like a polar freezer would be more productive than some of the other things they invent.
Powerful post. I really wish the polar bear was tougher than we. I worry for them. I like how you didn’t reveal the hunter until the end. I wasn’t entirely sure at the beginning and that was fun.
Thanks so much, Diana. I did try to conceal what the poem was about, and I wish I could have came up with another title, but my mind becomes tired after awhile, and I just go the easy route sometimes.
Interesting that you mention the men on the oil platform looking at the bear. And It made me realize that we are all doing that to some extent as we drive our cars. It’s hard to conceive of the idea that in not too long polar bears will be found only in zoos.
That’s true. I went through one of those drive thru wildlife refuge once, and my car was surrounded by bison and other massive animals, I guess the could have totaled my car :O Luckily I got out in one piece….magnificent animals. It is really sad about the polar bears.