“ode to the badyarikha cub“
By Melisa Santana
time frozen from millennia ago, as though the ice
acted as a camera to capture a world otherwise
forgotten, without even stories whispered to keep it
alive. and within the permafrost, curled up with matted
fur was a cub. trapped in the fear of an unfair world, scowl
stuck on her face as though it could scare death itself from
daring lay a finger on her. and death, cruel and unyielding,
grabbed her by the face, kissed her forehead, and reassured
her that it would be okay. that she could let go. that she’d
be found again someday. and here she is, in the arms of
a society who adores her, who misses her despite never seeing
her live, never witnessing her run and play and hunt – she’s
missed in spite of it. eyes squinted, organs remaining, lungs
empty or full, unmoving, halted as if in shock. studied with
affection she may not have experienced since her mother
thirty-five thousand years ago. held by loving scientists
who fight the urge to caress her fluffy cheeks and kiss
her fur. hearts tethered by love and fear of safety, relentless.
