Rather than wrestling this furry hibernator
Or having out the chains for the dancing and the circus
We're shaking hands now, looking each other in the eye
Looking to avoid slashing the other with the claws
Meant to be kept away for the wrestling
For this bear and I
Are looking for berries
And now that we've found raspberries
In volume
And can smell the blackberries
On their way to ripeness
We're well on our way
To become family
Fattening up for the long winter
For it's these razor threads
That weave scratches up my arms
And stick in the bear's fur
Worth every bite
And every little bead stuck in our teeth
For it's a road
All along the road
Fruit and fruit and fruit
For most of the seasons
But we might slash a few fish up on the shore
To be truly ready
This quilt of additional fur and fat
To be prepared
For the big sleep
And the little wake
Without a boat
We've swum to this island
For the paths are covered
With strawberries
And nuts
And the squirrels cannot make it across the water
So we can feast and feast and feast
And rest
And feast
For we've found our spot
For the next few seasons
Resting peacefully
Well before resting in peace
The zither sounds
Pollenating more fruit blossoms
And we'll be ready to wake up to the pears in the spring
Even if there's a scratchy throat
From this big sleep
At least we'll have each other
And our big
Beautiful
Quilt
Roman Ryan 