Lying abed drowsily,
hearing early morning traffic grumbles
begin their stop-and-go surging

she envisioned her choice
front page story,

something to cut the grunge,
dry the smeared blood of
yesterday's list of horrors

Something like:

Local bear
goes on a hugging spree!

Dark, furry figure
seen leaving its abode

first reported
approaching person
traversing parking lot

lumbering up
to stunned-in-place man,
bear apparently reared up,
firmly hugging,

a catch and release approach,
person claims,
as bear moved on

Fishing for something,
the man said,
I dunno,
but it felt good,
that heart to heart

Similar reports filtered in
throughout the day

Fallen elderly woman lifted out of a tight spot,
hug from bear included

Children on playground
surround over-sized teddy bear
doling out hugs,

screams of laughter
ricocheting off schools'
so-weary bricked walls

Red rover red rover
send black bear right over

Every customer in dollar store
got their money's worth;
get a hug, get another hug

Build-a-Bear
changed their name for the day,
ordering articulated arms
to fill demands

Fat man claimed
his new best squeeze

Skinny woman feigned a swoon
over wearing a genuine fur coat

Well, sure,
dogs threw a fit,
cats hid,
Goldilocks and bear
circled each other
at the Plaza
wondering who would
blink or wink first

Best sighting reported:

armored vehicles,
armored people
dissolved into the pavement
like pastel sidewalk chalk
on a rainy day

Furry paw stamp of approval,
file story and print

10/08/2019

Posted on 10/08/2019
Copyright © 2023 Kristina Woodhill