Bear, Chase's second collection of poetry, grew from her research for a non-fiction book about an illegal bear poaching operation. In the poems, the author addresses a bear, exploring the curious line between humans and other mammals, while other poems are written from the point of view of a prisoner, jailed for unknown crimes. Aside from these, there are many autobiographical and notional poems, subjects ranging from Chase's girlhood polio to her directions about daydreaming.

"Among other instructive pleasures in this new collection, Karen Chase's "Bear" poems are an innovation. I...