Grizzly Bear
and Goldilocks
(that’s not my name,
she says)
are discussing
the merits of
cinnamon applesauce
and whether or not
I would eat her, instead,
barbequed with ranch dressing
but before I can answer
in my gruffy harumphing voice
we’re off to gather sticks
for our make-believe fire pit
and the s’mores
we’ll eat later because
right now
she’s making breakfast
pancakes
with maple syrup?
bacon and strawberries
I love bacon!
which we eat
while she laughs that
the syrup makes my fur sticky
so she cleans it off my hands
thank you
then we pretend-read a book
before going to bed
and I snore as loud as I can
until she wakes me up
ten seconds later
to sit by the fire
(just one more round, she asks)
so I can’t possibly leave
and why would I
ever want to?
there are s’mores, after all,
and a backyard afternoon
that is just right.
Art by Goldilocks aka Alyssa. Poem ©2025 Jen Payne. NaPoWriMo, National Poetry Writing Month. If you like this poem, you can read similar in my books and zines, available from Three Chairs Publishing on my ETSY SHOP. They come autographed, with gratitude and a small gift.
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