August 2020
Tad Richards
tad@tadrichards.com
Bio Note:I have been known to write poetry, fiction, non-fiction and other stuff. Poetry publications include Poetry (a long time ago), Carolina Quarterly, Cortland Review, Phoebe, Laurel Review, many others. Recent anthologies include Villanelles (Everyman's Library), In Like Company (MadHat Press). Lewis Turco's The Book of Forms uses my work to illustrate a number of poetic forms. Most recent book of poetry, Willem and the Werewolf and Other Medieval Lays ('This adept book is more than a tour de force; it is an inspiration' --Annie Finch). Most recent novel, Nick and Jake (Arcade Publishing, 2012 - 'Goofy, funny, and full of literary in-jokes . . . this is a rollicking good read.” Kirkus Reviews, starred review).

The Map of the Bear


The only map is the map of the bear.
Your best hope is to follow it closely,
Closer than dogs.  It's engraved with your spoor,
You wake in the night to find it partly
Charred by the dying fire.  The only

Map is the map of the bear.  Follow
It closer than dogs.  Your best hope is
To read the part engraved below
The surface of the fire.  Sleepless,
You move by night.  The only map is

The map of the bear.  Dogs know,
That's why they follow with no hope
The dying spoor.  You're passing through
Fire, you've passed through sleep,
Now the only map is the map

Of the bear.  Now hope gives up
Its secrets, now you follow where
Dogs won't go, even in sleep.
Above, the route's engraved on fire.
The only map is the map of the bear.
Editor: This poem is referenced in Tad's column. You should go read the column.
©2020 Tad Richards
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