United In Spirit

The white Kermode bear or the Spirit bear is an endangered subspecies of the Black bear that is only found on Canada’s west coast. Thanks to the efforts put forth by Simon Jackson at the age of 13 in 1995 and The Spirit Bear Youth Coalition which now spans 87 countries all over the world; not only is this bear protected but its habitat is as well. The poem rotates from the voice of the bear to the voice of Simon Jackson. where are they now? my brothers and sisters clad in snow- white fur our life supporting rainforest loggers, extinction on the horizon passion born of the wild vision beckoned me a B.C boy my strong will, a voice became protect the white one, Kermode bear save its precious, fragile home our numbers just hundreds, dwindling Simon Jackson, hear my plea your empathy I sense see deep sadness in my eyes ensure our salvation Spirit Bear, your plight will be heard by CEOs, boardrooms, halls of government with my friends I’ll lead the campaign you will not stand alone in the night “The present shouts…the future whispers”* your promise, resonates through these woods hope emanates from my soul Spirit bears, place trust in Simon our love for the forest he shares our lives he cherishes to keep your sacred land our youth rises hand in hand we listen and hear your cause fighting for a greater good our spirits unite as one *Quote from The Spirit Bear Coalition website. Poem written by Carolyn Devonshire and Sandra Stefanowich