GREAT BEARS' CUB
(Alaska)
by Edna Borigo
The Russian bear abandoned her cubto the mercies of the sea.
It had no place in Royal Court
of Czarist monarchy.
A ravished, starving yearling
was a liability.
The shaggy mother shambled off
so happy to be free.
When Uncle Sam first bought the cub
the uproar was terrific.
From Congressmen across the land
it spread to the Pacific.
With seven million dollar cub
did Seward us endow.
It stands erect and roars aloud,
the Cub's a big bear now.
Through many lean, neglectful years
the step-son cub survived,
'Til came a war to threaten peace
and troops in ships arrived.
The bear they met was huge and wild
and soldiers gazed in awe.
Then sought to tame and train this beast
in ways of white man's law.
In Uncle Sam's managerie some
fifty inmates strive
to do their bit, to obey law
so Union may survive.
Now Ursa Major lumbers on
beneath the Arctic stars.
About the last and largest state
to join the Stars and Bars.
EDDIE'S POEMS
Edna's family affectionately called her "Eddie". She never complained, so on this page we will periodically tease you with some of Eddie's original Alaskan poems.
Updated 12/3/2009.
