Poking the Bear

why do we touch and walk
when the signs say DON’T
why do we climb to the top
and dive to the bottom
why do we poke the bear

because we want out
because we’ve been big brothered
into a comfortably helpless rut
the perils our forebears once knew
now all but gone

try to tell a president
not to look at the sun
and see what happens

we approach the sleeping dog
take up riding bulls skydiving
drag racing and mountain climbing
knowing it is not a question of if
but only when and how bad

this might be what it takes
to truly feel alive