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A Feral Frozen

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* This is a reworking of an old piece that I could never find a fitting context or ending for ... I think it works now. *

Ursus Maritimus ... I entered your world in quietude, slipping through the granular, soft. Long slats to feet parting the frozen. Cold of a previously unknown Extreme, nipping, sharp, the epidermis with ardor. A Mid-May akin to February, homeward, first warning of extrinsic ire, ignored. Hours of Similar (sobering) revelations ensued, supplanted by days, weeks, Moons ... reality - icebound and born of abiding trial. The basic Elements staggering, swallowed by the providence around me. A Vastness beyond vast, afar ... crushing cold of limitless value, each Sunrise a new contingency for measure of my insignificance. How I Adored you for your beauty - such reward for the naked eye, there Amidst a denuded struggle. Shaped by eons of selection into a Creation of perfect form and ease, as at home with desolation as I at a warm hearth and aliment. Moving sprite through your environs, All senses attuned to the mind's axis ... at once knowing and known, Master of a savage domain. Every dynamism a fluid dance, every Steamed puff of exhalation a waif of delicacy, bespoken. Do not the Gods aspire to such? If there were deities afforded such barren and Bleak scapes, it would be none other than you - as exquisitely Magnificent and divine as the forbidding but breathtaking element Around you, my brother. Yet, I fear I have doomed you, for others Will now follow ... others who find no such elegance in anything But graft and greed. By the simple act of watching I may have Sealed your fate, firm and grim. So, I will not turn to admire you As I leave ... but rather keep you forever as a phantom in my mind And heart and longings - to let you devour my spirit and join with You, ever after straining to hear the echo of your lonely, distant Growl, the one that so often haunts my thoughts and meanderings, Dark and cold in the arctic night, dark and cold in the willows ... Deep and frozen and dreaming, of your gleaming and breathless Beauty. If but mine to touch ... to know. Forgive me and farewell ... Brother Bear.

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Edward Ibeh

Date: 1/26/2020 10:40:00 AM

A simply superb work you've got here, Greg:-) Such a gripping, delightful read! It's an instant FAV for me. Well-done!

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 1/26/2020 10:50:00 AM

Oh, thank you, Buddy, you didn't have to come here, but I thought you might appreciate a polar bear piece, as I can tell you respect them ... very kind of you! They are incredibly powerful creatures ... I saw one at a zoo not long ago, it was underwater on the other side of a huge pane of viewing glass, playing with this giant log like it was a toothpick! I was blown away by its strength and beauty! Blessings, Brother! :o)

Maureen Mcgreavy

Date: 1/15/2018 9:33:00 AM

Awesome ink! Congratulations on your top win my friend :) xomo!

Maureen Mcgreavy
Date: 1/16/2018 6:34:00 AM

Ah yes! :) (I know the bear you speak of)

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 1/16/2018 2:03:00 AM

Thank you very much, Mo - I'm glad you enjoyed my polar bear ... I'd like to do one on a Spirit Bear sometime ... so few people don't know about the "other white bear". Blessings, friend! :-) <3

Line Gauthier

Date: 1/14/2018 6:57:00 PM

Wow - powerful write. Awesome poem, Gregory. Congrats on your most deserved win.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 1/16/2018 2:00:00 AM

That's very sweet, Line, and I'm so pleased you found this one worthy ... blessings, Dear Friend! :-) <3

Eve Roper

Date: 1/14/2018 6:47:00 PM

Congratulations on your win, Gregory, beautiful imagery ! Hugs Eve ~`*

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 1/16/2018 2:00:00 AM

Thank you very much for the kind words, Eve - bless you, friend! :-) <3

Lu Loo

Date: 1/14/2018 2:25:00 PM

oh I love this dear Gregory! Well deserved top placement, congrats :)-luloo

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 1/16/2018 1:59:00 AM

That's very sweet of you, Luloo - I'm very glad you enjoyed my polar bear ... this one was a true work of joy! Blessings, friend! :-) <3

Julia Ward

Date: 1/14/2018 11:41:00 AM

There's so much emotion in this. Thank you so much for your contest entry and well done for your first place win in my Premiere contest.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 1/16/2018 1:58:00 AM

Thank you so very much, Julia, I am truly humbled and honored to be on a list with such wonderful poets who I admire ... I'm so pleased you liked this one, as it was from a rather "different" direction. Blessings, my friend! :-) <3

Edward Mccall

Date: 11/25/2017 7:50:00 PM

The polar bear is truly on of the most majestic creatures on this planet. Your poem is a fitting tribute to such a magnificent animal. Well penned and good luck in the contest.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 11/26/2017 2:25:00 AM

Thank you, Edward, I'm pleased that you enjoyed this one ... I took a different sort of tack in telling the story. Blessings! :-)

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 11/23/2017 3:43:00 PM

Oh for heaven sakes, my long commentary did not go through! I will try to sum up: I can really see your admiration for this animal in the way you put so much energy into this poem . Your conclusion works really well for it, and I think that is what you were mainly concerned with, right? Brother Bear is so fitting for someone with such admiration of this stunning animal.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 11/23/2017 9:58:00 PM

Thank you so much, Andrea - I am very much an "animal" person and against hunting as well, except in cases of starvation, so I relate closely to all of nature, and the creatures nearest the top of the food chain hold a special fascination for me, as do creatures at the bottom like Orangutans, that are completely non-violent and peaceful. I'm pleased you liked this one, my friend!

Joanna Daniel

Date: 11/23/2017 8:02:00 AM

Wow! You write with such tenderness, Greg, polar bears are really beautiful animals with their snow white coats...invoking a sense of awe:) you have captured it excellently here:)

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 11/23/2017 8:14:00 AM

Thanks so much, Jo, this one is special to me for many reasons ... I'm pleased you liked it, friend! Happy Thanksgiving! :-)

Lin Lane

Date: 11/20/2017 11:18:00 AM

Your appreciation of their beauty is equal to my own Greg. Huge beasts that one would love to stroke, to look into their eyes. That's much the same way I feel about gorillas. Their eyes are mesmerizing. The peril of these feral creatures is heartbreaking.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 11/21/2017 4:28:00 AM

I love gorillas, too, Lin, so misunderstood ... how anyone can be frightened of them is beyond me. Big and powerful, yes, but very peaceful creatures, and family-oriented. Polar bears are so incredibly beautiful, and also misunderstood ... dangerous, indeed, and they will kill humans for food, but usually because we've entered THEIR domain, and they stand little chance against OUR weapons. Now they're starving to death while the ice cap melts and we humans do little to change it. Thank you so much, my friend, I'm pleased you liked this one! :-) <3