It has no teeth no paws or tail
you see it’s not a bear at all
and if you try to pick one up
it curls into a ball.

The Woolly Bear
The Woolly Bear
has middle bristles copper red
and ebony at rear and head.

In summer it’s a Tiger Moth
Isabella is its name
but only as a caterpillar
did it acquire fame.

Folks declare the soot and flame
taken all together
let this little feathery beast
forecast the weather:

Mostly black and then we’ll have
a season cold and wild
but lots of red and people say
the winter will be mild.