Ghost Bear, Page 2 Of 4 Poem by John Bliven Morin

Ghost Bear was amazed that his arms,
Once admired for their great strength,
Were still capable of such a trial,
And without any pain.

For three days and three nights,
Ghost Bear continued moving upriver,
Against the current, seeing not
Another living creature.

He began to wonder if he was in the
Spirit World already, had entered it
Without knowing. But then, as his
Canoe rounded a curve

In the Great River, he saw two bears,
A mother grizzly and a cub, fishing
From a fallen tree in the water,
And he knew he still lived.

“This is surely a sign of new life, ” he
Thought, but as yet the meaning was
Unclear to him. Now the muscles
In his arms began to knot.

But Ghost Bear had long ago learned
To endure pain and continued on.
On the seventh day he saw a raven
Fly down and sit on a stone.

He was not sure if he was dreaming
Or awake, only the dim pain as his massive
Arms pulled his paddle endlessly
Against the river current.

Suddenly there was a great flash of light
“I am dying at last; thank you Great Spirit
He said, “For my interesting life.”
Then there was darkness.

Slowly, very slowly, Ghost Bear became
Aware. He heard voices, but he could not
Understand; he smelled cooking; he felt
The warmth of animal skins.

Women’s voices and laughter; the bark
Of a dog; children playing; village sounds!
He tried to sit up but found he could not;
He was tied to the bedding!