(An annual competition in Alaska’s Katmai
National Park and Preserve enables the public
to vote online for the bear which has gained
most weight in preparation for hibernation. It
is aimed to raise awareness, generate interest in
conservation and allow people to engage with
wildlife via webcams along the Brooks River.)
Another Fat Bear Week has rolled around,
as bears prepare themselves for hibernation.
Their bodies grow gigantic, pound by pound,
erasing all caloric deprivation.
Hyperphagia is what it's called,
a yearly feast on leaping sockeye salmon
that in big paws are caught and quickly mauled,
while humans just prefer to dine with Mammon.
Campaigns declare a favored candidate
that put on extra poundage to survive,
since sleep will see them lose 1/3 their weight.
Fat helps them, until spring, to stay alive.
Old bears must race the cubs for fishing spots.
Mama bears get fat to feed each bruin
come one more future crop of ursine tots
The Rubenesque will live, the lean face ruin.
Katmai Park is where this competition
occurs and where a champion is crowned.
But humans make fast-food their daily mission,
and those who gorge on hot-dogs are renowned.
The brown bears are true models of resilience.
Ozempic-takers all should take some note.
In politics, it does not take much brilliance
to see this pick as our last chance to vote.