Churchill, Manitoba is an interesting place. People often leave their cars unlocked in case someone needs to shelter from polar bears. The only land access to Churchill is via train.
Wikipedia mentions the poem without showing it. Anyway, here it is.
Churchill Bear Jail
One of your first major stops in Churchill is jail, bear jail
which makes you feel sad and odd
at the same time. Then this feeling turns to knowing
that bear jail is silly yet incredibly bizarre.
Bizarre seems the right word to describe Quonset
hut outside of town but there is more. Bears, you’re told,
are given jail time depending on their offense and how
many times they commit that offense or any other faux pas.
First offenders are hauled back to Churchill Cape with other
free bears but if they come back to raid
or to be caught again, they are given thirty days.
They are not fed while they are serving their time.
Thirty days in jail without a lawyer, without
a judge, without a jury, without bail, without
good time served, you realize. Then you think
of bizarre ways of breaking them out. No justice.
Yet you think what would happen if there were
a judge? “Thirty days,” he says. Bear, representing
himself, asks about his bear rights. Judge says
he should waive any rights because bear has none
anyway. The bear waves goodbye with perfect law/decorum
to be put in his cell till hell freezes over.
- Victor Charlo
Thanks! Do you have a link to the source handy?
That building’s caked up.
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