The Bear Doesn’t Know

By: Daisy Deaton

 

The bear doesn't know

that the path his ancestors have walked for decades

is now bisected by a concrete river

full of metal fish.

The bear doesn't know

to look both ways

and hold someone's hand

and look both ways again.

The bear doesn't know

to stop and wait for the garbage truck to pass

before continuing his journey.

Poor baby,

the first wild bear I've seen,

struck down by human garbage.