Bear (n.) (v.)

By Kim Michalak

(n.) any of the mammals in the family Ursidae

                                                            For $100, you can shoot a Florida black bear.

                                                            This year’s harvest objective is 172.

(v.) press or push against 

                                                            Permits fund actions to reduce bear-human conflicts.

                                                            Meaning we get new trashcans.

(v.) endure 

                                                            We destroy ancient habitats

                                                            to erect apartment buildings,

(v.) carry, hold up or support

                                                            drive cars with conservation license plates

                                                            while plowing through their homes,

(v.) give birth to

                                                            prescribe wildlife burns, while mothers

                                                            carry out their favorite cubs.

(v.) take responsibility

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Kim Michalak is a Florida-based writer and educator. She holds an MFA in creative writing from Chatham University, and her poetry has been featured in various publications, including Literary Mama, Rogue Agent, Global Poemic, and Briefly Zine. In her spare time, she enjoys baking and adventuring with her husband and children.