Deep in the heart of my first VCFA residency, so this intro is a bit briefer than my usual. The Poetry Friday Roundup is over here. I’m honestly not sure what I think of this one. Funny? Quirky? Weird? A coming-of-middle-age story? Let me know…
Unbecoming a Bear
by Jim Hill
Ten-year-old-me,
Wished to be a
Skin-changer – a changeling -
Who could become a bear, like Beorn,
You know, from The Hobbit.
At Thanksgiving,
Eyeing the
Hair on my arm,
A nephew asks,
“Are you a werewolf?”
During story-time,
As Max commands
the Wild Things,
My son pets the
Hair on my hands.
Now in the bathroom,
Middle-age-me squints at small tufts,
Clipping-tweezing-plucking,
Undoing that wish.
Unbecoming a bear.
{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
Ha, ha! Weird and wonderful, Jim.
Thanks, Tara. I thought about self-censoring and never letting this see the light of day. Decided I’d rather squelch that self-censor and be weird.
Nice poem Jim! I don’t think I can get access to the occasional poetry link so I’ll have to come here to read yours. You have a lovely relaxed style about your writing.
Thanks, Catherine. I bet if you message Kat she’ll send you the secret code.
Ooh good idea Jim!
Very easy and introspective with a dash of self-mockery, and a great title — I like! New to Poetry Friday – glad I found the group!
“easy, introspective and a dash of self-mockery” it’s like you know me! Thanks for popping in and joining the Poetry Friday fun.
Funny Jim! Enjoy your residency (jealous)
Thanks, Julie. Residency was amazing. Any second thoughts I had vanished immediately. I’m doing the right thing for my writing.
You were great on the Brain Burps podcast!
Must be fun to do the residency! I love the poem-quirky & slick, plus I just knew that men had secret things they did to pluck & shave or ? how brave is that to even wax poetic about it!
Groan and a laugh because I love a good pun. And even bad ones.
This made me smile! Thank you!
You’re welcome. Thanks for letting me know about your smile.
it’s honest, fun & fetching. thanks for posting.
Thanks for reading (and commenting)!
Tee-hee! Be careful what you wish for!
No kidding! Figures I’d get the world’s-slowest-wish-fulfillment.
I like the “coming-of-middle-age” concept as it ties back to a previously held POV as a kid. All the playfulness of a children’s poem, but directed squarely at adults. You might be onto something (but I suspect you already knew that).
Thanks, Ed. I think we could start a whole new category, or at least an anthology with “coming-of-middle-age” poems. Hmmm, there’s something to think on.
tweezing and plucking is *very* unbecoming of a bear. ear hair. that’s what drives me nuts. what the heck is the good of that? anyway, when you’re home from the rez and have a moment i think you’ll find the poem better than you realized.
Thanks. The ear hair drives me crazy. What is it’s evolutionary point?
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