Great Horned Owl

Great Horned Owl

Living on the edges
Woodland   Field   Woodland
Ear tufts and yellow eyes
Hearing and seeing what you and I can’t

A mellow hoot belies the fear it imparts as it
Preys the edges
Woodland   Field   Woodland
Ear tufts and yellow eyes

Feathered tiger

—

This is partly a found poem, using words and phrases from National Geographic’s Birds of North America: Pocket Guide (2013)

 

14 thoughts on “Great Horned Owl”

  2. What a great found poem! Like Laura, “feathered tiger” and “preys the edges” are lines that popped for me. I also really liked the repetition within your poem. I’m a big fan of owls and love that you thought of finding a poem in your birding book.

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    1. Thanks, Molly! Repetition is something I have to work not to overuse: I love it.

      One of the things I say over and over while doing environmental education activities is that all of the action happens “on the edges.” “Feathered tiger” isn’t mine, but I wish it was. I do (well, not right now) some work with a raptor education organization (Rise Raptor Project), and our owl is definitely a thrill to interact with. There is so much to write about when it comes to birds–I love them!

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  4. There is a joy in excavating a poem from what is essentially its hiding place. Love that you revealed these words and reshaped them. Love the refrain, love the depiction of the owl as an ever alert hunter. The end result is pleasing to eye and ear. Thanks Tim.

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  5. That last line gives your poem almost the feel of a haiku.

    I have many fond memories of nighttime owl walks with my students, calling owls, and spotting them with our red cellophane-covered flashlights.

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