White Bear

[Image by Robert Bateman from his Predator Portfolio-Polar bears]

Warm place.
Skin itches, all the time.
Plunging into cool water, relief.

Purple eyes. A child.
Up above on the rocks.
Smiling down unafraid.

I remember.
Long ago.
A ball.
A red ball.
Then nothing.
Lost

The girl above.
Falling.
Purple eyes shut. Her face.
Floating, bruised.

Lift her up, above water.

A boy. Pale eyes, frightened.
Thin arms. Raises her to him.
Takes her away.

Alone.

-East, by Edith Pattou