The Bear Yazinski While working the Legend of Camelot Into a class for rural ninth graders, I said the name Arthur is thought to come from the Welsh word for bear. To add local relevance, I described how a bear and its two cubs Paraded through my backyard over the weekend, How the mother pulled down our birdfeeder, Sat on the grass with it under her paw, And ate from it like it was a bowl of popcorn As though she were at the movies; All the while her cubs circled as if they were her protectors. One of the boys, Chaz, said, Well, I’d leave them alone then. My grandpa told me they sometimes go crazy When protecting their cubs, and showed me his scar to prove it. Another boy said, Yeah, but usually they’re pretty mild. I mean me and Chaz chased one around our barn about a month ago, Just slapping the big baby on his ass, playing tag with it until it ran away. Because this was class I was teaching, I added, You know, because of its brute strength and black beauty, A lot of ancient people worshipped the bear as a god. Chaz said, So you’re telling me I’m a hero Because I slapped a god on the ass? And the other, Wow, Grandma’d be really pissed If she found out I chased away a god.
Ron Yazinski is a retired English teacher, who with his wife Jeanne, divides his time between Northeastern Pennsylvania and Winter Garden, Florida. Among journals that have included his work are The Houston Literary Review, Edison Literary Review, H.O.D. and Pulsar Poetry Magazine. He is the author of the chapbook, Houses: An American Zodiac, and a book of poems, South of Scranton. Ron is a regular contributor to The Centrifugal Eye.
63