Bear

approached the home of his
belonging, nostrils quivering
the scent ancient
a limb with old fur attracting his attention
lingering waste from
years ago

and he saw her
slouched nearby
fur matted
no longer a glow of flow
as when he first called this place home

a cave where a slash of
hill met land
his chance to visit with mother

as a whisper from
the other side of the valley
he was called
and senses turned him from the trail he
followed.

In the darkness made
his way to this place
a memory from which
his time began.

Knowing her
day of days
numbered
and one last chance
to share in a hunt
and he led her
on this end
journey

mother and son
sought game
and the sharing
of a meal
knowing it would be her final one.

© Richard L. Provencher