Bear finds piano
in a wood full of green light,
dandelion seed, flowers.
Bear is young, the sounds
of each key are discordant.
Days and days bear comes
to play each key until
there are clear patterns,
sounds that mimic the light
that finds its way through
rough barked branches.
A girl and father hear music
coming from a copse where bears
listen to sounds clean, strong, gentle.
Come, they say to bear, play in our city.
Such a woodless new place
yet bear plays his pieces,
appreciated, lauded, contented
except for a hollow under his
heart, a need for home.
On his return the woods
unchanged, a scent of clear air,
perfume, the deep loam underfoot.
Bear follows grey bear to his old
copse, his once familiar piano,
playing for friends always friends
music, always music,
leaving never more than
measured distance, the
unmeasured love of bears.