Bear II

The rain decided to soothe me last night

And whispered lullabies into my ear.

I wish she hadn't; I don't deserve it.

The bear I tempted followed me into the nets I laid

My nimble fox-claws were clever enough to ignore the stitching

But the bear did not.

The bear believed I held kindness

The bear believed I was different.

When the others saw me,

They did not see a fox whose coat was caked with blood and bruises

Held-together stitches raw and unforgotten.

A small, hurt fox who only ever wanted to be protected.

They saw a hunter.

A predator.

They saw the patterns of snakeskins through my coat

And my vengeful eyes as they sought the bear's innocence once more.

The bear never knew better;

The bear never could.

We look closer and we see a cub, smaller,

Eyes wide with the tears of innocence.

They only wanted to be protected

So they follow their instincts until I declare enough.

No, the others watch on, barely blinking.

But my trap is so clever that even I forget that I laid it.

The nets and wire unravelling, it shocks me

Because in an attempt to soothe,

The rain made me forget my own lies, my plans.

This is not good for the unforgiving fox

Whose hardened paws are vicious

And were always careful to memorise the nets and traps of the past.

Foxes learn.

I am a fox who thought I protected.

You are a bear who followed your instincts.

I should never have led the bear cub

I would only ever turn and growl when it followed.

~