Dancing the Bear Dream (Poetry)

Close in the white cave of his arms
the snowfield ballroom lit with stars
she moves to the night wind’s music
and all around them thin blue shadows waltzing
feet gliding on thin ice
dreams spinning through the vastness
keeping time
while the great bear spirit holds her
guiding firmly — leads the floor in unending movement
his steps a faultless sequence
the ceremony old
while the planets call demands for strict observance
and he’s chosen her from all the other sleepers
a maiden dancing deep in trance
her vision of a giant beast
a hazy shimmer where the heavens arc
the moment curls her safe in mighty arms
and waltzes her away
wrapped in furs and fantasy
where snow crystals grow their windows
the moon somewhere a glitterball
of possibilities
the frozen floor becomes a giddy whirl
of bitter air and cloud-warm ursine breath
the roar within him held in thrall
her heartbeat tuned to his
a silent totem manifest for love
to keep tonight
its secret chill not telling how or when
the spell will break.