"Arctic Killer"- from The Ruby of the Universe - Dan Lukiv his poem is from The Ruby of the Universe. The title is taken from a line in the final poem, and all of them explore themes related to war. click here to read the others. Arctic Killer Polar bear: Hiding, With a paw, Your black nose (Ingenious) As you stalk prey. You're eidolic, A Portuguese man-of-war, To the flesh You eat. Photographer-pilots "Captured" you In your white desert: Click. But you, In an 8 by 10 paradox, Weren't there, Like a Hollywood vampire Without a virtual Image. Even infrared fails To capture you Who, Like a black hole, Harvests solar heat That black skin Absorbs. Ultraviolet film Exposes you: A great, Black amoeba, As unphotogenic as The small, White seals (They too are Heat-absorbing miracles) That you eat. You stalk men-- You, The most beautiful Of all bears (Some say)-- Just as Nimrod Stalked men In war-play. In a zoo-cage You're adored By awe-struck children ("He's so cute!"), But in the wild, Face to face, You're a gargoyle With teeth That kill. Dan Lukiv is a writer, educator, and frequent contributor to canadian content. comments about this article? give us feedback