Spirit Bear from Wiki Commons
This is the bear not forced to dance,
for this is the bear that was born to dance,
this is the bear that brought the dance
to a race called man that had yet by chance
to discover the rhythms of heart and breath,
but moved as if to a timely death,
each step the same as the one before,
not faster, not slower, not less nor more.
This is the bear that could vary its gait
from heavy to light, and with change of weight
express the vicissitudes of fate.
This is the bear that could shuffle or spin,
the second for virtue, the former for sin.
This is the bear whose movements would tell
all the dramas of Heaven and deepest Hell,
born of the spirit with us to dwell.
This is the bear that was in the groove,
who taught the rest of the world to move,
the first of its kind, with nothing to prove,
it danced for itself, 'till the world fell behind --
and movement at last was quite unconfined.
Then from seeds called art, being sown in mankind
came wild things tough as the redwood trees
and others with grace that danced in the breeze.
Submitted to dVerse Poets Open Link Night
20 comments:
I do like this Dave, and the allusion to the obscenity that is forcing bears to dance added to it. Thank you.
So glad to see your name in the list. Hope all is well. Mysterious but riveting poem. Mesmerizing when read out. Couldn't decide whether Ursa major/minor was in the mix somehow.
This is the bear that could vary its gait from heavy to light, and with change of weight express the vicissitudes of fate
It appears to be an invisible force that is breeding itself causing movements in fellow men. That's how I read this, mysterious but with latent energy. Great write Dave!
Hank
smiles...sounds like a pretty cool bear to me...the world needs to dance, to feel the groove and rhythm, so i am all for that bear....smiles.
Loved the form you wrote this poem in, Dave. In fact, it felt a bit LIKE a dance. I liked the idea of the seeds being art being sown! A bear with good purpose indeed.
I really enjoyed this, Dave. It's so good to see you!!
The saying "dancing to the beat of your own drum" came to mind. This piece made me smile.
I think this would sound great read out loud - it's got great verve and rhythm.
I love the bear dancing for its own pleasure and beat ~ Art is following your own call & rhythm ~
Good to see you Dave ~ Happy week ~
I like this Dancing Bear a lot, Dave, "a bear not forced to dance,
for this is the bear that was born to dance." Wow, Just loved this poem.
oh i like when someone does just what is inside them...like that bear...dancing without being forced, just because it's part of them...and def. that's something that is highly addictive...
I love the poem even more because you managed to get the word vicissitudes in! It is a favorite of mine.
I love your poetry. It takes me to another place every time. I love the depth of your word choices that allows all your work to function on so many levels - I see that other comments note the subtexts and allusions from the stars to forced dancing bears; I would add native tribal myths of spirit animals and ending in your own imagination of progressions of rhythm, dance, word play and song that lifts not just the feet and legs but also the human spirit. Another fabulous poem from you. Thank you!
a dancing bear should not be art. bears are wild animals and should be left alone. on the other hand, learning about seeds, and making better tress is a good thing.
that's what i got out of it.
So rhythmical verse!
I enjoyed myself a lot with the words and
rhymes. Good to see the bear!
those opening three lines do not promise deep meaningful whimsy emptily!
ALOHA from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral
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Thank you so much for your thoughtful and inspiring replies. I have taken a lot from them, as I invariably do and am very grateful to all who stop by to leave a comment.
Love this... reminds me of some of the Native American's stories.. a dancing bear creating with its dance
We need more Redwood trees.
Penetrating piece.
Cheers!
One of the best! Loved it.
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