Loss

Polar bear Sapped Dreary Thin Visible world falling apart Real time tragedy Climate change shackles to fasten him to numbing hunger Ragged white fir coat growling through its misery A broken grimness in gutted nature No ice drift of salvation Till the last polar bear dies in a smoke chain of complacency National Geographic special This too passes into history Toxic forgetfulness like a channel flicked And every screen's back to normal.

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Susan Ashley

Date: 12/29/2022 5:17:00 PM

Dear Brian, your illuminating pen captures the "real time tragedy" of the polar bears demise with haunting imagery, they are quickly slipping away and complacency is to blame. Your last few lines a fitting, sarcastic cut for an affecting finale. No other species on earth has a negative ripple effect as vast upon the world as humans do.. such a shame we can't do better for one and all. Your talent shines with empathy, my inspiring friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan (soup mail)

Brian Sambourne
Date: 12/29/2022 7:13:00 PM

Thanks very much, Susan. Your kind, insightful words are a tonic - a wonderful spur to push my pen. The loss of Canada's James Bay polar bears is a true tragedy. Heart breaking with no solution to be found. Be well dear lady. Sincerely, Brian

L. J. Carber

Date: 8/23/2020 10:34:00 AM

Good use of irony--congrats, Brian

Brian Sambourne
Date: 8/23/2020 8:11:00 PM

Thank you LJ. There is that paradox of a widespread National Geographic special with high audience interest quickly slipping to nothingness - our collective forgetting. Best wishes, Brian

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 8/22/2020 11:18:00 AM

- Climate change a current topic ... I hope the polar bears are doing well - Congratulations on your lovely win poem, Brian :) - // Anne-Lise :)

Brian Sambourne
Date: 8/22/2020 3:15:00 PM

Hello Anne Lise Thank you for your message. How I wish the polar bears were doing well. Polar ice that sustains the species in hunting seals is fast melting away; hence the bears emaciated condition. Best wishes Brian