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Out of the Woods

Man vs. Bear

By Tina D. LopezPublished 2 months ago • 1 min read
Out of the Woods
Photo by Mieke Campbell on Unsplash

They ask me,

man or bear,

as though the danger

lies in the choosing,

not in entering

the woods.

They tell me

a man can be safe.

I married one.

He led me

deep into the woods

where every path

ended with my apology

for his hands around my neck.

All the bears

I have known

lived in stories.

One taught me

I could prevent forest fires

as if trees were all that burned.

Another, sweet as honey,

reminded me

I was brave

without making me

prove it.

So when they ask

man or bear,

I ask

why is everyone

so determined

to send women

into the woods?

Stop asking which danger I choose.

Ask me

how I found

my way

out.


I recently saw a newer video regarding the man or bear question in which the creator (taking on two roles) was asking what each were doing in the woods so she could determine which choice was better.

Not sure if this is quite working yet.

If the bear were Winnie-the-Pooh, I am choosing Winnie!

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About the Creator

Tina D. Lopez

Finally realizing I need to start acting like the main character in my own life. Writing helps me figure out where I keep losing the plot and giving away my spotlight. My story is a big mix of drama, comedy, tragedy, thriller, and, horror.

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    Written by Tina D. Lopez