Burrowing Owl

I'd never seen a burrowing owl But knew immediately The creature bobbing up and down, Most surely must be he. I sucked in breath and let it out. I held it after that. I thrilled to see this special owl In natural habitat. I didn't try to get too close. I gave him lots of space. I didn't want to scare him off By getting in his face. I walked to see him every day. One morning I saw two. My little owl had found a mate, And she was out on view. Just seeing them would stir my soul And make my spirit soar. Then came a time they weren't in sight. I moved in to explore. I found some feathers, half a wing, And some spent shotgun shells, And as I think about it now, Again my anger wells. Those owls weren't shot for feathers, food, And not in self-defense. This shooting had to be for fun, Although that makes no sense. The burrow where the two owls lived Was but a little place. The hole they left inside my heart Is big as outer space.