What does the poem bears by adrienne rich mean?

Adrienne Rich's poem "The Bears of August" is a reflection on human nature and the role of animals in our lives. The poem begins with the speaker, a woman, watching two bears that visit a campsite. She is curious about the bears and speculates on their lives, wondering what it must be like to return to a "natural" state after living in captivity.

The speaker is a woman, and she is aware of the fact that she is being watched by the bears. This makes her feel uncomfortable, and she begins to think about the relationship between humans and animals. She realizes that humans have a tendency to objectify animals, seeing them only as objects of curiosity or fear. This is in contrast to the bears, who seem to be more aware of the speaker and her presence.

The bears represent a source of power for the speaker. She is drawn to them, even though she is afraid of them. This is because the bears represent the wild, untamed part of nature that humans have lost. The speaker is also aware that the bears are vulnerable and that they are threatened by human encroachment. This makes her feel responsible for the bears, and she is determined to protect them.

The speaker is also aware of the tension between humans and animals and the different ways in which they view the natural world. The speaker is a naturalist and views the bears as being part of the natural world, while the other visitors view them as being outsiders. The speaker is also able to identify with the bears due to their shared experiences of being captive and being watched, while the other visitors are unable to do this.

The poem suggests that by reconnecting with the wild, untamed part of nature, represented by the bears, we can find strength, resilience, and healing. The poem is an appeal for us to respect and protect animals, and to acknowledge our interconnectedness with the natural world.