The Great Bear & The Dragon Poem by John Davie

There once was a Great Bear known as Tom
Broad Shouldered Feet Set & Strong
He could drink and then smoke, then sing deep from his throat
Then still beat any man from the throng

The news of his strength travelled wide
Haystacks ran, buildings would hide
Warriors sneaked off, boats slipped out on the trough
Whilst the legend of Tom came alive

Now no man whom Tom faced stood his ground
They'd run off with a whimpering sound
He sought out a match, the country cross hatched
But all refused gauntlet thrown down

Till one day the news came to Denmark
Where a viking whom famous, called Kjallak
Was well known for sinking, The most drinks when drinking
Whilst still wielding deftly his Axe

So Kjallak the Dragon was set
That no stronger man ever lived yet
So he packed and though blustered, his Strength fully mustered
Set off on his journey to bet

Kjallak the Dragon months trudged
Across seas to his waist in the mud
He was hell bent on Proving, so legs kept on moving,
This legend to be a falsehood

The Great Bear Tom hadn't a clue
Was upon him, when, how and who
He was quietly sharping, his broad sword was barking
For the fight he knew not that he knew

The challenger finally arrived
To be fair he was barely alive
But a bowl of hot gruel, gave him all of the fuel
He needed; his skills were applied

Bear Tom was right pleased to be taken
On by a person not quaking
At his legendary status, the rest on hiatus
A Clash of the Titans was making

Twas decided the fight should take place
Amongst witnesses who'd judge the race
But although they did try, judges fell by the side
As livers they did soundly lambaste


Many nights this legendary fight
Echoed, axe and broad sword they did strike
They would drink and then smoke and then reseat the yoke
From sundown then until morning light

For aeons this challenge raged on
Generations they died and were born
The heavens resounded as armour re-bounded
Weapons clashing in steel striking song

To this day looking up dead of night
When clouds clear you can spy their stars bright
The Great Bear & the Dragon, Their spirits not sagging
An eternal, unwinnable fight