.
Barred owl sits on a tree
in broad daylight
noticing
.
She tips her head to
allow her asymmetrical
hearing
.
Feathers are ruffled
to warm her as she
waits
.
She glides on hushed wings
and drops her gathered wisdom
in the snow
.
By Cary Owen
Written for the prompt ‘Creatures of the blank page’ set by


Powerful imagery!!
LikeLike
Carys, you capture the essence of a barred owl’s presence with exquisite simplicity. And the imagery of the owl in daylight, tilting its head for asymmetrical hearing, and dropping gathered wisdom in the snow is evocative!
~David
LikeLike
I live on Vancouver Island and have had the honour of watching barred owls perching in full daylight…they blend in so well that a person really has to look!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow!
LikeLike
Thanks David. Owls are pretty amazing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A true poet has to observe a lot… eavesdropping and then condense it into a poem, just like an owl
LikeLike
Thanks, I think you found another layer to the imagery- beautiful!
LikeLike
Wisdom dropped onto the snow is such a beautiful image, and even more so when its an allusion to a blank page receiving poetic words.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It happens to be snowing here at the moment, which made it’s way into the poem.
LikeLiked by 1 person
An enchanting meditation on the poetic process, Carys. The accents you place on the owl’s features reveal more going on than meets the eye, the mystery behind “the gathered wisdom” that marks the snow. Thank you so much for joining in the prompt!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love your owl offerings, Carys, and imagined the owl tipping her head, with her ruffled feathers, and dropping gathered wisdom in the snow.
LikeLike
Thanks Kim
LikeLiked by 1 person
… “drops her gathered wisdom in the snow” ~~ how delightful, for your retrieval.
LikeLike
The best writers are those most observant of the human condition. A wonderful choice.
LikeLike
Beautiful!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Graceful observer.❤️
LikeLike
Carys, you inhabit the owl very well here. I love the gift dropped in the snow.
LikeLike