tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5111521536124099782024-02-19T17:25:29.968-06:00LIFE IN THE URBAN FOREST<b><i>Welcome to Rob-bear's poetry blog.</i></b>Rob-bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171692478879522588noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-511152153612409978.post-50657937309846163462013-12-21T12:33:00.001-06:002014-01-24T18:25:21.247-06:00SNOW; IT HAPPENS UP HERE<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The snow </span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">covers the earth</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">under a soft, white</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">quilt,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">flake, by flake,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">by flake,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">persistently,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">but with no rush.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Each flake</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">a tiny piece of creativity</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">unlike it's neighbour,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">yet similar enough </span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">that </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">they form </span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">first a tiny skiff,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">then a fine line, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">then, almost without notice,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">they pile </span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">one on top of the other</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">until they are shoe high,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">boot high,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">perhaps knee high.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The trees,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">branches outstretched,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">capture what they can</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">as it floats by them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The chickadees</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and nuthatches</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">pay little attention.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">They know where the feeders are —</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">the feeders that are refilled</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">regularly,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">mysteriously,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">so there is always </span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">enough.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The puppies </span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">cavort and frolic</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">in this new experience.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The older dogs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">take note, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">but when their needs are met,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">snooze again, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">inside,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">before the fireplace, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">dreaming of soft green grass</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and a thousand summer smells</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">that have</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">temporarily </span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">vanished.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It is the humans</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">who fret </span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">of impassible lanes and streets</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">of snow-cluttered sidewalks.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Soon enough</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">they will don their winter vestments</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and travel to </span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">their office tower</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">or single-storied shop,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">or perhaps,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">with shovel in hand,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">ease the cover </span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">over to the sidewalk's edge</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">so others may pass.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Only a few,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">perhaps with camera in hand,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">will marvel at the scene</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">with a relaxed cup of cocoa</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and an eye</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">for the</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">artistry. </span><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></i> <br />
<center>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">~ <span style="color: #783f04;">Bear</span> ~ </span></center>
Rob-bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171692478879522588noreply@blogger.com48tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-511152153612409978.post-32435987465505529892013-09-15T14:05:00.000-06:002013-09-15T14:05:33.615-06:00SPOONS<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This all started with Margie at <i><a href="http://samuru999.blogspot.ca/2013/09/spoons_15.html">When the Heart Speaks!</a></i> The rest, well. . . .</span></i> <br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">They fit together so well —</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">those spoons</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">occupying space </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">intimately,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">side by side,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">like two lovers</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">resting,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">sleeping,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">embracing one another</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">sharing dreams, perhaps,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">as well as space —</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">as if</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">they had always</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">belonged like </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">that,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and were </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">meant to</span></i><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">~ <span style="color: #783f04;">Bear</span> ~ </span></center>
Rob-bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171692478879522588noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-511152153612409978.post-27564397251773450082013-05-10T19:50:00.003-06:002013-05-21T06:22:28.398-06:00COFFEE AND TOFFEE<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></i><br />
<center>
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Coffee<br />
is not<br />
Toffee.<br />
<br />
Toffee is<br />
sticky, </span></i></center>
<center>
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and sweet,<br />
and melts in your <br />
mouth,<br />
without pulling out<br />
any fillings.<br />
(Lost fillings would be<br />
yucky,</span></i></center>
<center>
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">so you need to be careful!)<br />
Then it rolls <br />
round your tongue<br />
and slides<br />
down your throat.<br />
<br />
Yum!<br />
<br />
Coffee is<br />
black and bitter.<br />
Adding sugar,<br />
or milk,<br />
or milk and sugar,<br />
really doesn't help,<br />
though some claim it does.<br />
(I find that's yucky!)<br />
And coffee can<br />
upset your tummy.<br />
(Also yucky!)<br />
<br />
Ug!<br />
<br />
Sadly, <br />
I don't have<br />
any Toffee.<br />
<br />
But I do have<br />
some hunny<br />
So I'll have hunny<br />
with a scone.<br />
<br />
And tea!<br />
</span></i></center>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: normal;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>This little ditty originally saw the light of day on Wednesday, April 3, 2013, </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: normal;"><i>as part of the year's </i></span><i>A-Z Blog Hop Challenge.</i></div>
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: normal;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: normal;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">~ </span><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bear</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> ~</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: normal;">
</span>Rob-bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171692478879522588noreply@blogger.com66tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-511152153612409978.post-15222990922191259172013-05-09T08:10:00.000-06:002013-07-07T06:28:43.036-06:00THE NIGHT (2)<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: normal;">(If you're looking for part one, it's <a href="http://in-the-urban-forest.blogspot.ca/2012/10/the-night.html">here</a>)</span> <br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, font-size: large; font-size: large;">I like the night.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Cooler breezes</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">wend their ways through </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">open apartment </span></i><i><span style="font-size: large;">windows.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">They make a cool room</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">in which I can sleep with</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">wool blanket or</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">feather duvet, if</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">I need </span></i><i><span style="font-size: large;">it.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">The contrast of warm </span></i><i><span style="font-size: large;">and cool</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">soothes my soul</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">comforts my body,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">readies me for </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">a good night's sleep</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-size: large;">I like the night.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">In our darkened apartment</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">the everyday demands</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">of preparing meals,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">and doing dishes,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">and keeping things tidy,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">and conversation,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">and writing and reading,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">are set aside.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Instead, night invites</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">quietness and restfulness — </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">or, if not deep restfulness,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">at least some relaxation,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">and some time for </span></i><i><span style="font-size: large;">reflection —</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">not as easily done</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">in the garish sun.</span></i><br />
<br />
<i> <span style="font-family: Georgia, font-size: large;"></span></i><br />
<br />
<center>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">~ <span style="color: #783f04;">Bear</span> ~ </span></center>
Rob-bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171692478879522588noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-511152153612409978.post-11840501504779606152012-11-02T13:57:00.000-06:002015-03-05T08:28:22.626-06:00WINTER TYME<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3lSaSSmmaRo1fiJjA4IIHG4ltF52AbbubXe-vhcPP7WKw1SPdj2gEDE0Wwz-4qevLdr0BEdyDF2uQorNYgcrb_JZO2890AcP3PYxQJIRBvA7-i7lXsAo0Tycy7mw-KXlE26ctXEFZlEO8/s1600/IMG_1159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3lSaSSmmaRo1fiJjA4IIHG4ltF52AbbubXe-vhcPP7WKw1SPdj2gEDE0Wwz-4qevLdr0BEdyDF2uQorNYgcrb_JZO2890AcP3PYxQJIRBvA7-i7lXsAo0Tycy7mw-KXlE26ctXEFZlEO8/s320/IMG_1159.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">When it's winter in the city,</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">And the roads are dark and gritty,</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Then the city isn't pretty,</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">as it was.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i>
</div>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">~ <span style="color: #783f04;">Bear</span> ~ </span></center>
Rob-bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171692478879522588noreply@blogger.com46tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-511152153612409978.post-58393170745890363942012-10-07T13:10:00.000-06:002012-10-07T13:15:32.644-06:00THE NIGHT<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span><center><i>I like the night<br />
even in the city<br />
where the hum never quite goes away.<br />
The noise is somehow different —<br />
muted, perhaps —<br />
from the daytime's</i></center><center><i>hive of </i></center><center><i>bees.<br />
<br />
The lights brighten the places<br />
where they shine,<br />
but their blues and oranges<br />
are not the natural colours<br />
of the moon and sun —<br />
and they add to </i></center><center><i>the light</i></center><center><i>pollution.<br />
<br />
Yet those also</i></center><center><i>illuminate the way<br />
helping us find</i></center><center><i>the places to step.<br />
And, overall, they cast<br />
a gentler mantle<br />
on the<br />
earth.<br />
<br />
</i></center>Rob-bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171692478879522588noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-511152153612409978.post-57060165235483778712012-07-31T16:54:00.000-06:002013-05-10T19:53:34.403-06:00THOUGHTS ON THE BIG, BLACK DOG<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUc3zzfMahj3-D10xJjaYMhxbAVGbnDE4cewdxefXPQSAcK_rrCIZpTgOTYHOBGjGpUfpwTJhLheLpKwmBGguN_7nJIGPea7amH8gI3_Us9EXOtY6UDqDfXO2vxNdD-4o4O414NcZrP7VW/s1600/nedic+black+dog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUc3zzfMahj3-D10xJjaYMhxbAVGbnDE4cewdxefXPQSAcK_rrCIZpTgOTYHOBGjGpUfpwTJhLheLpKwmBGguN_7nJIGPea7amH8gI3_Us9EXOtY6UDqDfXO2vxNdD-4o4O414NcZrP7VW/s320/nedic+black+dog.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
image by Zelko Nedic</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">The Mag #128</span></div>
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">How long has it been</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Black Dog,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">since you insinuated your way</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">into my life,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">like the thinnest, darkest shadow,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">then landed on my chest</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">with a huge THUD?</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Five decades next year</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">you say?</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I knew it was a long time.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I didn't think dogs lived that long,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">but you surely have.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I thought I was rid of you a few times,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">but like the cat who came back</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">you've continued to dog my steps.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Like Professor Moriarty and Sherlock Holmes</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">we seem to be bound together</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">at opposite ends</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">of this invisible lead,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">which likely cannot be severed.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Well, my familiar,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">let's go for another walk.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Perhaps I can lose you</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">in the </span></i><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">undergrowth.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Though </span></i><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">seriously doubt</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">it.</span></i><br />
<br />
<center>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">~ <span style="color: #783f04;">Bear</span> ~ </span></center>
Rob-bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171692478879522588noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-511152153612409978.post-18563867839039905652012-07-16T07:47:00.000-06:002013-05-10T19:54:27.938-06:00BEGINNING<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Morning fog</span></i> <br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">floating over the city</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">like a fine gray blanket,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">dulling the buildings,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">obstructing the sun</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">with a cool sweatiness.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">A stodgy, sticky start</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">to another </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">day, another</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">week.</span></i><br />
<br />
<center>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">~ <span style="background-color: #999999; color: #783f04;">Bear</span> ~ </span></center>
Rob-bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171692478879522588noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-511152153612409978.post-24174948682674803492012-07-08T15:02:00.000-06:002012-07-08T15:02:09.236-06:00THE FIRES<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I have seen the pictures. </span></i> <br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Scorched land</span></i><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>burnt trees</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>dead animals —</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>including a Bear</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>who thought</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>he could avoid catastrophe</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>by climbing the tree,</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>which was then </i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>thoroughly charred.</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>The fires,</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>illuminating </i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>the incinerated hills</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>and smoke-filled sky,</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>pressed on, </i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>oblivious</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>to what they consumed.</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>Some fires are</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>entirely too</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>anti-social!</i></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<center><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">~<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: cyan;"> <span style="color: #783f04;"><b>Bear</b></span> </span>~ </span></center>Rob-bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171692478879522588noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-511152153612409978.post-49683654387992625482012-07-04T22:27:00.000-06:002012-07-05T21:34:49.529-06:00SEAFARING STORY<br />
<h2><i><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The old mate</span></i></h2><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I see him; I see him so clearly.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Battered cap</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">for his balding head,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">frazzled beard </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">at the bottom</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">of a well-worn face.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Eyes sets in,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">piercing the horizon</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">of the sea,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">or your soul.<br />
<br />
The long-time sailor <br />
now serves the boat<br />
poked into his arm,<br />
and greater vessels <br />
in his mind. <br />
<br />
Those were the days <br />
of derring-do —<br />
the "one hand for yourself;<br />
one hand for the ship"<br />
kind of days,<br />
when the sails billowed,<br />
and the sheets tangled,<br />
and you could lose an arm<br />
if you weren't careful.<br />
<br />
Ships travel by diesel <br />
or bunker fuel now.<br />
But the wind,<br />
which lost its usefulness,<br />
is still a power<br />
to be<br />
regarded.</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">Prompted by <a href="http://thewaxingmoon.blogspot.ca/2012/07/portrait.html">Rachel</a>.</span></b></span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></i><br />
<center><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">~ <span style="color: #783f04;">Bear</span> ~ </span></center>Rob-bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171692478879522588noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-511152153612409978.post-51872717707769856242012-07-04T17:42:00.002-06:002012-07-04T17:42:49.111-06:00GOING A BIT SQUIRRELLY<h2>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></i></span></h2>
<h2>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Ode to a squirrel </span></i></span></h2>
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Why do your tailbones shiver,<br />
your teeth rumble<br />
a bitter staccato<br />
with a rap, rap, tap<br />
on rough bark<br />
with nails sharp, movement<br />
a spiral inversion<br />
swaying with vertigo<br />
to tease this curmudgeon<br />
of an old dog?<br />
<br />
Sing a song of squirrel<br />
and with a jolt<br />
the canine brain jerks loose,<br />
unmoored and shaken<br />
free out the left ear<br />
to roll away and land worthlessly<br />
in a stack of cast-off seed cones<br />
already stripped of their <br />
proteinaceous worth.</span></i><br />
<i> <br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="http://thewaxingmoon.blogspot.ca/2012/07/ode-to-squirrel.html"> Rachel Westfall</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"> July 3, 2012</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"> AT 7/03/2012</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"> LABELS: ANIMALS, POEM, SILLINESS</span></i> <br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To which Bear replied:</span></i><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: xx-small;"><i><br />
</i></span><br />
<h2>
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">About that squirrel</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></i></h2>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Palatino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i><span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">"</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Enough, already, squirrel,"</span></span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"><i>says the ancient </i>chien<i>.</i></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Palatino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">“Your incessant noise</span></i></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Palatino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">reverberates </span></i></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Palatino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">in the caverns of my mind,</span></i></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Palatino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">disturbing old dreams,</span></i></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Palatino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">and new thoughts.</span></i></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Palatino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">Your scratchy dancing </span></i></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Palatino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">on tree and branch</span></i></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Palatino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">forces my eyes</span></i></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Palatino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">to squint, and cross, </span></i></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Palatino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">and spin in their sockets.</span></i></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Palatino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"><br />
</span></i></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Palatino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">I register my complaint,</span></i></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Palatino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">but you ignore me.</span></i></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Palatino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"><br />
</span></i></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Palatino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">Twas ever thus.”</span></i></div>
<div style="font-family: georgia; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Palatino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 19px;">
<i><span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></i></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Noteworthy Light'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Tuesday, 3 July, 2012</span></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: cyan; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Thanks to Rachel for letting me use her poem</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">!</span></i></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<center><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">~<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow;"> <span style="color: #783f04;">Bear</span> </span>~ </span></center>Rob-bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171692478879522588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-511152153612409978.post-44393381536239547232012-06-27T23:15:00.000-06:002012-06-27T23:15:55.339-06:00RANDOM IMAGES<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Slashes, orbs, fringes</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">of orange-red</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">among the gray-white-blue clouds.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Sunset over the city,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">after the storm.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9B24tur3QaqppUg_COXiC_60soAUs5uWVUNPPb98ADt1nJ2ZIwJsbuHAmtvCqSEdA-oC6aa4yAh1N_Dd69jI4fy5rsBjo5TsXy3FkVjp5jD7mmpJnau5Sdcnz9MwEveKS-5svjsxhlA9J/s1600/IMG_0600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9B24tur3QaqppUg_COXiC_60soAUs5uWVUNPPb98ADt1nJ2ZIwJsbuHAmtvCqSEdA-oC6aa4yAh1N_Dd69jI4fy5rsBjo5TsXy3FkVjp5jD7mmpJnau5Sdcnz9MwEveKS-5svjsxhlA9J/s320/IMG_0600.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></i><br />
<center><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">~ <span style="color: #783f04;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: lime;"><b>Bear</b></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">~</span></center>Rob-bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171692478879522588noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-511152153612409978.post-21984026330625318452012-06-05T23:22:00.000-06:002012-07-19T23:18:32.135-06:00IN WHICH BEAR THINKS OF A POME<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">As it says at the top, this was never intended to be a poetry blog. But, well, I got writing poetry on other people's blogs, and the next thing I knew, . . . something different was happening. S</span></i><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">o I decide to let it happen, here.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I have absolutely no idea what will become of this. Maybe I will get too intentional about it, or too pompous, and thus ruin everything. (Trust me; I've done that before.)</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">If you are here, it is either because your stumbled upon this site, or you were invited. In either case, thank you for being here.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Your comments on the thoughts, or the poetic style, are welcome. If I don't like them, I can always go away, sulk, cry, or cut you off. Or I can blame Lydia, Rachel, and/or Helen.</span></i><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i></i></span><br />
<br />
<center><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>~</b> <span style="color: #783f04; font-size: x-large;"><i><b>Bear</b></i></span> <b>~ </b></span></center><center><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></center><center><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>Coyote lies at the edge</i></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>of the urban forest,</i></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>looking in from his</i></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>well-hidden viewpoint. </i></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>The odours are delicious,</i></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>but a glance says, "Be wary."</i></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>The bushes across the field move,</i></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>suggesting hidden woes.</i></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>Humans.</i></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>Dogs.</i></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>Wolves.</i></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>No, not wolves.</i></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>Not this close in.</i></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>The rest he can handle, </i></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>or quickly avoid.</i></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>The mixed aromas beckon.</i></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>Slinking close to the ground</i></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>coyote transitions</i></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>from country brush</i></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>to city woodland,</i></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>trying his </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>luck</i></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>at finding</i></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>the family</i></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>meal.</i></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i></i></span></center>Rob-bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171692478879522588noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-511152153612409978.post-91467683255155801122011-09-08T17:16:00.001-06:002012-02-13T00:06:48.864-06:00Hmmmm<div style="text-align: center;"><i>"Sometimes I sits and thinks; sometimes I just sits."</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>This site is just sitting too.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>It will take on a life when it's ready.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">~<span style="background-color: lime;"> </span><span style="background-color: lime; color: #783f04;">Bear</span><span style="background-color: lime;"> </span>~ </span><br />
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</div>Rob-bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171692478879522588noreply@blogger.com5