POEM - How Bear Got His Tie

I keep the teddy bear

Because I haven’t figured it out

I’m not sure how to deal with it

There’s a lot stuff in the stuffing

Little bunches of feelings

Not all of them pleasant

He’s always been there

Just hanging out

In my room

When I was growing up

Propped up in the corner

Watching over my bed

Keeping the monsters in check

Usually

But there was one night

When Bear was in the wrong place

And so was my father

When he ripped my bear in half

I knew he wasn’t himself

It was a lonely evening

Losing my two best friends

In one violent mistake

The sun still rose

When the night was over

And reparations had been made

Bear was sewn back together

And received a new green tie of ribbon

I could barely see either

Through the easily flowing tears

Both of my friends had come back

I even forgave the old growling bear

He deserved a second chance

And like Scrooge

He was better than his word

Left his violence in that night now past

Kept his anger in check

Tied up like the Windsor knot

He used on Bear’s fancy new green tie