The Day of the Bear

In the Summer of the year 1941, begins the Story of the Day of the Bear, my years are six.
In the Summer of the year 1989, completes this Story, my years are fifty four.

The pink Skies at the Dawning, before Grandfather Sun gives his warmth to the Earth.
The air, frest and cool.
The Aroma of damp decaying Leaves and Pine, mingle.
Birds awaken with song to clain territory and preclaim the dawning of a new Day.

The Night spent.
I had slept on a bed of Pine branches, my cover, dry Leaves to ward off the damp night air of the Mountains.
The cold Water of a Mountain Stream my bath, awakening and stimulating.
Wild Blackberries and balls of Corn meal with Maple Sugar and Honey, my breakfast.

A Day to wander and explore high in the Mountains, free from all of the hate and rejections people cause because of differences.
Upward I climb, following Animal Trails.
Mid-morning, the Sun warm on my naked back.
The freedom, the pleasure, the excitement, new sights to see, vistas across Valleys man has not seen from the time of the coming of the Europeans.
The Trail grows steep and curves around a giant Granite Bolder.
As I reach the bend in the Trail, Black Bear approaches on the same Trail.

We pause, Black Bear stands on his hind legs, a head and shoulder taller than me.
We look at each other.
At that moment, I feel no fear, only see the beauty of this magnificent great Animal, my Brother.
Time seems to have stood still, yet it must have been only moments.
Bear lowers himself, walkes slowly off the Trail and down the Mountain.
Only then, fear comes to me in a rush.
My mind racing, knowing what could have happened.
One swipe with his mighty Paw may have caused much damage, even to my death.
I felt weak and sat with my back to the giant Granite Bolder.
As if giant arms surrounded me, the Energy of the Great Rock gave to me strength.
Calming myself and contemplating the encounter.
In time I came to know the joy and excitement of the overwhelming encounter.
Bear had no reason to fear me, I posed no threat as a Boy of six years.

Many Seasons have past, my Hair no longer dark and long.
Now it is as the Winter Snow.
I seek a Vision, on a Vision Quest.

No longer in the cool green Eastern Mountains of my youth, now in the hot arid Desert Mountains of the West.
Fasting, Praying, Dreaming, in search of a Vision.

The Vision comes.

Once again I am the naked Boy in the green Mountains of my youth.
Once again I see, I smell, I feel, I hear, the Vision has taken me back, back to the Day of the Bear.
Once again, the encounter.
Bear stands, we look at each other, he speakes.
"Have no fear Little Brother, pass, I search for Blackberries in the Valley below.

I feel in my Heart and Spirit, My Brother Black Bear, would have spoken such, if the Creator had given him the Power to Speak.

White Crow October 1989