Cold Mountain
Do not mistake the bear’s stillness for hibernation. Cold and calculating, it will grow larger as it rises on its haunches to maul and swallow any prey it encounters, until it is bigger than any mountain. Always be wary of the bear.
counting icicles
high upon the mountain peak
waiting for a thaw
I was hiking at Runge Conservation Center this afternoon when I read Haibun Monday 2/28/22: Cold Mountain, the prompt from Frank Tassone at dVerse ~ Poets Pub. The temperature was 67º F, but this ice on a small limestone formation was still waiting for a thaw as it sat in the shade. Thus was my haibun response born. (I will admit that thoughts of Ukraine also played a part.)
rivrvlogr 
I see the Russian Bear here…Excellent use of the prompt. Very clever metaphor.
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Thank you, sir.
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That’s amazing that it was 67 and those icicles don’t look like they’re going anywhere. It seemed like an early spring here, then it snowed a few days ago.
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Hopefully we’re done with snow. 70s today and tomorrow, but winter will even show its face in April.
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Of all nature’s land creatures, the bear is the one I’m most fearful of — besides humans who have delusions of becoming gods like the monster who rules Russia. I echo Glenn’s sentiments.
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Thank you, Lisa.
I have home movies from my Dad. We were in the Smoky Mountains in the early 1960s, and people were trying to feed bears by hand.
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You’re welcome. Oh my goodness. You just made me think of that guy who went to live with bears and the outcome…
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A great haibun Ken. You have described Russia very well! The bear that never sleeps! Always beware!
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🙂 Thank you.
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You are welcome!
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An allegory, fluidly embedded in an evocative haibun. Well done, Ken!
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Thank you, Frank.
And thanks for the prompt.
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A great metaphor for the times. I definitely feel on edge.
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As many of us do. Thank you, Ali.
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Yes Ken, it is rather an apt metaphor. And those ice spears look uncomfortably sharp.
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Yet he keeps sharpening them.
Thank you, John.
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Deep caution of your haibun reaches even the most naive of minds
Much love…
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Thank you, Gillena.
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The Bear, the Dragon, the Eagle…. We live in the shadow of them all.
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Don’t we!
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That is so clever, Ken – I love this comparison… Bear-Mountain!
-David
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Thank you, David.
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Sobering reflection Ken, and a deeply thoughtful haiku to round it out.
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Thank you, Paul.
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Most welcome Ken 🙂
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If only humans were as selective as other creatures. (K)
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If only.
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Excellent both as a literal expression and a metaphorical one.
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Thank you, Merril.
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You’re welcome.
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I thought a lot about the Russian bear reading your prose…
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