Poking the Bear

He was the kind of guy who overreacted
Frenzied over nothing, played devil’s advocate
And revved up every meeting by poking the bear.

Other employees either loved or hated him.
There were almost no gray feelings about Sam.
He was a hero to those who loved drama.

The workers who felt uncomfortable with heated exchanges,
Tried their best to bow out of meetings if he was attending.
He was the boss’s son, however, and showed up at most of them.

One day social media posted a video of a bear shaking a man
It was funny to people who did not know Sam,
But hysterical to those who do.

Because they would have expected Sam to yell and scream
Run away, and lead the bear on a happy merry chase.
Instead, Sam kept calm. Something he never did in meetings.

This was the turning point for Sam.
He became a hero, and much more quiet at work.
Many said it was his realization that life can be short.
Thus, he decided to not waste another minute poking the bear.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2020

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Wolf Avatar
September 28, 2020 at 8:10 PM
There you go! A great lesson for all of us. Restraint is priceless, really. A lesson for our age, truly. Thanks, Caren.
Krutsinger Avatar
September 29, 2020 at 3:23 AM
It surely is!
Rodrigues Avatar
September 28, 2020 at 3:31 PM
Great fun! Life can shake you up and if you’re smart, you’ll listen!
Rodrigues Avatar
September 29, 2020 at 4:36 AM
Last night I watched this show about 911 calls. One was about a person being tracked by a bear. Later the host says a poem he learned about bears: If it’s brown lay down. If it’s black attack. If it’s white, “Good night!” I think I’d be like a deer in the headlights...yikes!
Krutsinger Avatar
September 29, 2020 at 3:24 AM
I actually watched this video; it was on u-tube of a bear getting a drink of water in the man's pool, then going over and shaking the man's foot. The man was lying on a chaise lounge, sleeping.
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