the way the leaves
blow across the forest floor
in a dazzling display
of non-sequitur free dance

a bear cub
plays
in the blowing detritus
of summer’s sweet kiss
good night

a subtle shift
in the ground
alerts mother bear
something is amiss

then the land shakes
a violent upheaval
in the midst
of a peaceful time
the earth splits
a yawning chasm opens
swallowing
the dirt
in thirsty gulps

the first drops
of rain
begin the tumultuous descent
in the thermals
of eddying air

the cub races
just ahead of the crevice
one step too slow
as mother watches
not slowing
her lumbering gait

the sky sheds
tears of burning liquid rage
that makes
the grieving bear’s fur
smolder

the storm arrives

the storm
arrives