Bear in There
There’s a Polar Bear
In our Frigidaire–
He likes it ’cause it’s cold in there.
With his seat in the meat
And his face in the fish
And his big hairy paws
In the buttery dish,
He’s nibbling the noodles,
He’s munching the rice,
He’s slurping the soda,
He’s licking the ice.
And he lets out a roar
If you open the door.
And it gives me a scare
To know he’s in there–
That Polary Bear
In our Fridgitydaire.
From A Light in the Attic, by Shel Silverstein
When I was teaching 3rd graders we used to read from all of Shel Silverstein’s books. This was always a favorite. We would memorize it and act it with gestures and dance moves. I love the imagery and freedom this poem paints with its words.
Imagine knowing what you love and going after it.
Imagine loving something so much that you go in and grab it with both hands. You consume it and become fierce and growly when anything threatens to separate you from what you love.
Imagine crossing boundaries for that which you love. Taking over something not meant for you because what you love is in there.
Imagine not caring who knows about that love and showing that love to the world with laughter and joy and fulfillment of finding and getting that which you love.
Imagine loving yourself like that.
~Lydia Patrick