Continuing my series of poems answering questions asked by children.
I’m happy to take questions that people who are currently adults asked as children, although corroboration from a parent is appreciated.
In this case, the question was relayed to me by Shonaleigh, but was actually asked well over a decade ago by her son, Izz. I am glad to lay this long-standing mystery to rest.
All bears go barefoot in the woods.
If you had bear feet, you would too:
With fur, and soles as tough as boots,
And big sharp claws, who needs a shoe?
Your feet are soft; you have no claws
So socks and shoes you’d better wear
Do not go barefoot out of doors
(Unless, of course, you are a bear.)
Tom Juniper Poetry 