Becoming Smokey Bear Poem by Ima Ryma

1950, New Mexico,
Capitan Mountains billowed smoke.
A forest fire began to grow,
Then put out by fire fighting folk.
A little lone bear cub was found
Hugging the trunk of a charred tree.
He was carried down to the ground.
So badly burned, no one thought he
Would be able to long survive.
But the young bear cub did hold on,
Recovered and began to thrive,
Becoming a phenomenon.

Smokey Bear lives on and inspires
Humans to prevent forest fires.