Poem #15: The Bear-Prince

In the misty forests of Italy

there lived a Great Black Bear;

he gathered fish and berries

for his tea without a care. 

But unbeknownst to him, there was

a Witch that dwelt nearby. 

She watched him from her broomstick

as she flew above the sky. 

She hated him, and feared him too, 

for he was much to large;

she could not bully smaller beasts

and take them in her charge. 

Until, on one fine day, our friend

the Bear went for a stroll.

The Witch then saw her chance and came

down from her high patrol. 

She sneaked into his bearish hut 

and found his pot of tea

then giggled with delight and said,

"At last the luck's with me!" 

She then drew from her evil pocket

one small, evil flask

of potion that would give the Bear

an everlasting mask. 

She poured it in his tea, and just

in time, ran out the door, 

but stayed outside to listen

as the tea was slowly poured. 

The Bear then took a sip of tea

and smiled at the taste. 

But then, by chance, he saw his mirror

and gasped at his new face. 

For not a bear he saw, rather
a tall and handsome Prince!
He thought he was mistaken, so
he stole another glimpse.

Alas, indeed, a prince he was
with hands instead of paws,
he felt a weakness growing,
and he missed his mighty claws.

And as he thought these thoughts, the Witch
sprang from her hiding spot.
 She cackled, "Why, my beastly friend,
This form becomes you not!

"You've lost your massive bearish form,
and power too, I deem.
And now that I can kill you, I
at last may be the Queen!"

The Bear-Prince cried aloud in fright
and scrambled out the door
He ran and ran far from the woods
til he could run no more.

And when he stopped to catch his breath,
he spotted a little town,
and on its outskirts sat a little
girl in a tattered gown.

Her name was Nona, so they say,
and she lived quite alone
but for her wicked sister
who disliked her to be at home.

She looked up and saw this Handsome Prince
come out by the Forest Path.
She said, "Oh sir! You've come to save me
from my sister's wrath!"

The Bear-Prince said, "Bambina, 
I am not the prince you seek,
but a beast enchanted by a Witch,
who hunts me as we speak.

But if you help me break the spell
that's taken hold of me,
I'll bring you to my Forest where
you surely may be free."

While Nona listened to his words,
a thought came to her head.
She said, "Come with me, I've a friend
who might relieve your dread."

She took him to the Chapel in
the middle of the town,
and there before a statue of
Saint Francis she knelt down.

Then Nona said, "Saint Francis is
the friend of every beast.
Just ask him if he'll change you,
it won't hurt you in the least."

And so the Bear-Prince bowed his head
and said a little prayer.
And when his eyes were opened,
he was once again the Bear.

The Bear let out a growl of joy
and nuzzled Nona's face,
then thanked Saint Francis and Our Lord
with all his bearish grace.

Then suddenly, "Don Beto!"
Nona cried with great surprise.
The Bear turned 'round and saw The Priest
with sternness in his eyes.

"Dear Nona," said Don Beto,
"Have I not told you before?
Our Lord loves animals like you,
but they belong outdoors.

"You know Saint Francis hears you
just as well outside as in.
I'm not cross, but Don Marco says
his lenience grows thin."

"Yes, Father," Nona said and left
the Chapel with the Bear.
"Now onward to defeat the Witch!
For Saints Francis and Claire!"

The Bear bore her upon his back,
and went galumphing forth
where even now the Witch was
doing evils of all sorts.

When they came to the woods, they heard
 the smaller creatures cry,
"Help! Help us! We are being oppressed!
The Witch must be made to fly!"

The Bear spotted the evil Witch
and gave a Mighty Roar!
She shrieked in great astonishment
and fell to the Forest floor.

The Witch then leaped onto her broom
and flew into the sky
while the little beasts she'd bullied
hopped and cheered and waved Goodbye.

From that day on, they lived in peace,
the creatures of those woods.
The Witch dared not come back again
while the Bear stayed true and good.

And Nona built a little hut
next to his great bear one
but they still go to see Saint Francis,
whether rain or sun.