My paw is sacred. All things are sacred . . . Sioux Bear Song, Sacred-inviolate-not to be violated.
Wonderful bears that, Walked my room all night, Where have you gone, Your sleek and fairy fur, Your eyes veiled and imperious light?
Brown bears as rich as mocha or as musk, White opalescent bears whose fur stood out, Electric in the deepening dusk,
And great black bears that seemed more blue than black, More violet than blue against the dark.
. . . Adrienne Rich, poet
