Bear

A poem about a Malayan bear in the Perth Zoo.

Bear

Perth Zoo 2001

With templedancer's fingernails

She slices apples into neat compartments.

Curved. Mouth sized.

Then spiral-staircase-wise

she climbs her concrete hill

to flop and eat.

Brown Malayan bear

romps through morning like a giant child. 

Sun-slumbering noon and we

on our apres-midi side of the bars

approve, take comfort in her ease.

Until one Judas moonrise, chilled awake

and opening her hooded jewel eyes

the bear looks north.

Rhythmically she rings her simple skull against the bars.

Joanna Hall 2023

Reviews

[Joanna Hall]

Thank you willweb. I read quite a few of your poems this morning and will read more. Appreciate your comments.

[Kelly Scheppers]

I have this urge for a bear hug! Nicely done, Joanna!

[John the Baptist]

Indeed, despite all the goodies, there's no place like home.

[willweb]

I could see this exhibition clearly through your wonderful poem. The bear seemed playful and full of life. Nicely done