Black Bear Encounter

I still see the light of the hair
black and glistening iridescent
so close I could have touched
Neil spoke out and said "Sheila
that is a wild bear" and I heard
the snort and watch in slow motion
the nearest paw extend and claws
appear it was an awesome sight
no fear involved the bear sat
Buddha like on the fallen tree
I glanced in the small bright eyes
but not for longer than a nano second
the beauty of this bear's quietness
closeness was breath taking awe
I said go back to the rainforest
man will kill you bear said deeply
come and look what they destroy
that encounter that lasted hours
that was my medicine for the fight
the reason I stood up for trees
that bear came to visit me a
number of times bringing strength
and introspection an encounter
with the wild in all things
When I was arrested on July 9th
1993 the bear came again
this time swimming under the bridge
the camera man caught the scene
brought it into a Victoria court
and I am sentenced to six months
in jail for defending the forest
oh my wild natural black fur being
you gave me such a gift back then
please never leave my side now
introspection and strength .