Gambol up the bank, oh bear

last spring
you cut down all of the trees
on the hill beside my forest home
now you may come
drag away the windfall
if there is any value in it
for me and for you


we are cooperating
from opposite sides of this question
tossing a rope over the chasm
testing the tension
building a bridge without
pulling each other into the ditch
i sensed you are a crafty fox


i was with my children
when you called me last night
they are somewhat distant
our process is echoed in that valley
where walker creek flows
mysterious how challenges like these
gambol up the bank, oh bear