When I came to school today, 
a bear came along with me. 
No one noticed 
except for a girl,
the light streaming
in her hair:
“You can’t fool me,”
and rose with wings
to a nearby tree. 

On my way to class,
a bird flew past
and there she was
by my side:
“Who are you?”
She looked surprised
I didn’t know. 

I growled and padded on
hand and foot
to teach my students.