Spring Thaw

The polar bear stepped gingerly, Just one step at a time... No longer thin as he should be, No longer quite sublime... The ice grew soft as morning dew, Not hard as once he'd seen... The ice was slippy-slidy, too, And he was not so keen... The seasons change, that's how it goes, Life gently moves along... Yet suddenly, the wise heart knows, When something could go wrong... He'd slipped before! He'd banged his teeth! He'd yelped in pain that day! He'd cried out loud in disbelief, Till his pain went away! One step... one step... one step... then pause... As if he'd lost his touch... A little scared with outstretched claws, Reluctant now to budge! Before you laugh at such a sight, Have you slipped up at all? Have you crashed down with all your might When ice caused you to fall? Compassion teaches us to care, That's if we've 'thawt' it through! Instead of laughing when we stare, Let's ask, 'What should we do! ? ' The poem is based on the magnificent painting by Stephen Gayford called 'Spring Thaw'. More Stephen Gayford poems here: denis-martindale-dot-blogspot-com