A Bear and a Bull
 
A large herd of cattle near a rancho of old
had a guard, an old bull, that stood proud and bold.
 
He watched for the danger that could always draw near
when the herd was spread out too much in the clear.
 
A grizzly this day was hungry and hiding
watching the bull, with no time for biding.
 
The old grizz had come down from the hills back a ways.
He'd been looking for food for too many days.
 
Then there before him the cattle were waiting
but the bull was among them, anticipating.
 
Old grizz was hungry and charged from the grass
then tore with his claws and teeth on a pass.
 
The bull felt pain but flipped the bear
his horns tripped the grizzly over with flare.
 
He stood up quickly, ferocious and tall
growling his fury as the bull gave a call.
 
They charged each other. It was now do or die.
A claw caught and blinded the bull in one eye
 
just as a horn plunged in the bears chest.
The two, with instinct and skill, took the test.
 
Not once giving ground as they fought, losing breath.
A magnificent struggle between life and death.
©Steve Dirksen