The Winter Bear

The winter bear reached out one paw
past autumn's end and dealt
a single blow,
cuffing us back to our den.

We cubs were not dismayed
but the lesson was enforced:
Children, you are excited by
this change, this coming joy;
be calm. Your rampant play
will end in tears and enmity.

But like the young we are,
we rashly dared the snow,
in careless gambols threatening
each other and upsetting,
forgetting till we felt the paw
of the winter bear again.

December 21 2009