Searching for Ursa Major

You were always too big
Always too loud
You stayed too long at parties
And made inappropriate passes

You had a bear's spirit
Destined to lumber
To frighten initiates
But you were born only a man
Your heart was kind
That was what mattered
You'd give the shirt off your back
The food from your plate
To anybody you thought might want it

It's been years since I've seen you
Floating in different circles
Fate interfering with intersection
But I knew you were there
People talk

I heard the news
Looked and looked again
There are only questions
Destined to go unanswered
Facts ground fine in the rumor mill
Chaff mingling particulate with the consumable
I'm not ready to choke it down

I hope your flight was smooth
That you had a first class ticket
That the flight attendant winked at you
Free drinks all the way

You've joined your brethren
And I'll think of you when I gaze at the sky
Searching for Ursa Major