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!”