Grizzly Tragedy

By Richard L. Provencher

Mon, 02 Oct 2023
  • 512 reads
6 comments
 

Just a few feet off-trail was

all it was-

he heard the snap

in his ankle – falling

across an avalanche of rock

brought his hiking

partner – spent many years

in these Banff Park hills.

 

“Thanks somebody” slid from

his lips as pain seemed to pause

his fall about 20 feet down-

As  his wife

shouted encouragement

& other chit-chat she screamed

Bear! Then silence.

 

He froze as a huge grizzly

peeked from the top.

White-hot adrenalin and

a mixture of pain

tears & anger supported his rapid

climb to confront this beast.

 

At first the bear was

startled by the man’s wild

charge, with fists

flailing, Suddenly the grizzly

greatly mauled his victim

and the bloody man soon

fell alongside the lifeless form

of his wife.

 

Bear & cub headed home.

 

Ps. This poem was written in

memory of one couple who

lost their lives in Banff, Alberta.

 

Certificate PG
Poem
Poetry - For All Reasons
Drama

Comments

Submitted by Richard L. Prov... on

 

Richard L. Provencher

Submitted by Richard L. Prov... on

 

Richard L. Provencher

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

How dreadful!

 

Submitted by Tom Brown on

Once a tourist here in the Kruger Park got out the car to have his picture taken with the lion, he got mauled yes and I believe they got it all on video, there was also a woman in America that sent her boy to paint a Grizzly with honey for a photo. That was the end of him.

Ok Richard all the best! Tom

 

Submitted by Richard L. Prov... on

Very sad stories Eh? When I was younger I went nowhere in the wilds of northern Quebec Province without my .30-30 Winchester carbine 0R .270.  I talked  a huge moose and a large wolf from perhaps attacking me. On both occasions they were no farther than 15 ft from me. Cheers. -Richard  PS. I always travelled in the wild country, especially tenting.

Richard L. Provencher

Submitted by Tom Brown on

Love it! White Fang! Adventure! Tom