Family Visit

A bear happened upon a shark’s tooth.

It cut its massive and callous bear paw pad.

It stung like fire pricks at oxygen.

Bear grunted, angrily snorted,

And stepped back away from the shark’s tooth with a metallic taste on its tongue.

But only momentarily,

Her other paw, unscathed and healthy like a doctor’s child,

Swat, swat, push, and  pushed. 

And a yelp and louder growl as if to

Say, suppertime kids.

The double-trouble joined in a feast. Two cubs came out of the woods.

They ate like a thanksgiving meal was served with no other guests.

The two adventurers, albeit perished,

Were hearty and full of protein.

Left behind: a backpack, three boots, and what looked like the remains of a smoldering day-old fire, and

One single shark’s tooth necklace.

The bear, and her cubs, cubby and full of fur: not hair, wandered off with full bellies.

They decided to slumber until next year,

Until their next supper.