The Hikers
In my dream
I am walking on sand
in a tract of dunes
in a clearing of pine.
To my right there is a bear
on his hind legs
pacing behind me
that I can just barely see
as a dark hulking
mass in my periphery.
To my left there's a couple
also hiking this way
that I can't see, only hear
their yelling frantic
"Oh no!”
“There's a bear!”
"Don't look at him!"
"Just keep walking!"
But every time I glance
or even just move my eyes
over to my right
the bear sees or senses
this and gets more
and more angry —
head slant, growling
so close now I can feel
his smegmal breath
hot on my neck.
Eventually the bear falls
on me — or I think so
because now I am face down
in the burning sand.
As he is clawing at my back
and breaking my neck
in his mouth I hear
the hikers cry
"Oh no!”
“Oh god!”
“We are so sorry!”