# data[].attributes.body
Tummy to tummy I was your bear hug

I watched you grow and grow
until you left our home still and silent

With a sigh and a whisper
The one older than you picked me up
tummy to tummy we imagined you in our bear hug.

© Linda Mitchell

# data[].attributes.body
thrift shop

stuffed bear with fur
worn thin on the head

oh, the kisses...but
expressed in affection
or apprehension?

© Diane Mayr

# data[].attributes.body
You say you want to hug me
and sleep with me at night.
You say I bring you comfort
when you clutch me tight.
You love me for my cheery eyes,
my fur, and satin bow.
But please don’t call me Teddy –
I’m Theodora, don’t you know!

© 2018 Matt F. Esenwine, all rights reserved

# data[].attributes.body
It’s tough when I

hear about Puff.

That dragon’s pain

is just the same

as an unhugged bear

stuck on a chair.

Copyright 2018 Brenda Davis Harsham

# data[].attributes.body
Solar bear says," Beware!"
The climate is changing.
Somebody has to care.

Ice caps melting,
Nor’easters pelting,
Cold temps here,
heat waves there

“Solar bear, I care.”

by Kathy Mazurowski

# data[].attributes.body
Grandma gave me a bear. Her Grandma gave it to her many many many years ago.

It's not like my other bears. It does not have soft fur. It crunches when I squeeze it! Crunches!

"Why does it crunch, Grandma?"

"Because it is is very old, and in the old days, bears were stuffed with excelsior," Grandma said.

"Does it come from angels?"

"Does it come from what?" said Grandma.

"Angels! It sounds like an angel word. You know--like the song: 'Glor-or-or-or-or-or-or-or-or-or-or-or-or-or-or-or-eee-ah! In egg-shell-seese day-oh.'"

antique shop...
teddy bear in a white dress
on the highest shelf

by Diane Mayr

# data[].attributes.body
Dear Solar Bear, I wondered where
you had chosen to hide?
You still need your clothes,
it’s winter yet, do not forget
to bundle when going outside.

Since you retired, do you miss the room
where you resided so long,
when we ruffled your fur,
added clothes for the day,
kept you as our weather song?

We loved when we dressed you,
remember those fun days
when rainy or snowy,
when winds had been blowy.
Sorry that you’re now away.

Linda Baie

# data[].attributes.body
In the Hallmark card store
Beside the jellybean jar

He sat in the window

Staring sad and far

He was waiting patiently

For someone who would  know

The number of the jelly beans

And with them home he’d go

To a home where he could lounge

On a soft, warm bed

And find a cushy pillow spot

To rest his polar head.

Then there came a little girl

Who marched into the store

And she wrote down a number

Then went back out the door.

The next day she returned

And squeezed him oh, so tight

For she was the lucky guesser

And got the number right!

She carried him out to the car

Buckled him in carefully

For he was an extra large bear

Almost as big as she.

When they got to the house

He was placed upon a chair

Where he thought to himself

I am the luckiest bear!

But she’d better not forget

To tuck me into bed

And read me a bedtime story,

Give me a big hug instead

Of leaving me right here

In this chair for the night -

And she didn't forget

Any day of her life

At least until when

She had turned ten

And he was then

On the chair again.

by Donna JT Smith