Notes About The Poem

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The Great Horned Owl

In the daylight hours, I spend  my time
So high on a perch, in a lofty pine
Where I fluff and comb my pretty plumes
And wait for the rise of the silver moon

I bob and weave on the top of the tree
Watching my world, in dimensions of three
My golden eyes fixed, on the fallen leaves
As I wait  for the night, so patiently

At the set of sun, and the rise of moon
In the Croatan forest, near Camp Le Jeune 
With a piercing screech, I take to the sky
On the wind, with silent wings, I fly

Over forest and swamps, on a winter night
Dipping and swaying like a wind-blown kite
In search of a rabbit, a rat or a bat
Until I find one, there's no turning back

Over Emerald Isle,  and wind-swept dunes
I fly, so freely, beneath a silver moon
For miles along the  Atlantic shore
Engrossed in the din of the ocean's roar

I hear from a distance, the stir of a hare
And see her dining, on sea grasses there
Her nibbling nose, like a lure, to my eyes
As I, with the speed of lightning, fly

Then swooping straight down, without a sound
I wrap my talons, so tightly around 
The slow, soft beat, of a dying heart
As bits of fur, fly away in the dark

A Great Horned Owl, I'm  a bird of prey
With the wind at my back, I make my way
With the chill of winter, a melt on my breast
I return triumphantly to my nest.

                         ~~~

For contest sponsored by  Eve Roper
Owls Personification 
Placed: 2nd

Written:  February 12, 2016

Elaine Cecelia George, of Canada
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

Poem

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12
Dietrich Avatar
October 30, 2016 at 5:51 PM
I don't believe I saw this one before. I am glad to see it took second place. I remember that contest!! Don't think I saw the winners' list.Anyway, Congrats. And I really like your portrayal of this great white owl.
George   Avatar
November 1, 2016 at 10:27 PM
Thank you for stopping by, Andrea. Lainey
Allison Avatar
July 26, 2016 at 1:24 PM
love the personification Elaine - i adore owls but never see them in the wild on our little Island only in the wildlife park - congrats on your win:-) hugs jan xx
Makama Avatar
May 12, 2016 at 11:39 AM
Beautiful in the most unique way.. Loving this piece so much
La France Avatar
March 20, 2016 at 9:02 AM
Elaine, a beautiful write, and wow, you made it so visual, part of me weeps for the hare, but it is life in the wild, CONGRATULATIONS and I am loving this 7 ~
Deschler Avatar
February 29, 2016 at 10:13 PM
A wonderful write and an accurate personification of the owl. I really enjoyed reading your poem very much... Congrats on a great win, Elaine!
George   Avatar
March 1, 2016 at 5:43 AM
Thank you for your kind comments, Kelly. Much appreciated. Elaine
A   Avatar
February 16, 2016 at 12:40 PM
Elaine, Congratulations on your "Owls Personification form WIN." Always ~LINDA~
George   Avatar
March 24, 2016 at 2:58 PM
Thank you got stopping by Linda and for your kind comments. Sorry I didn't respond to this sooner. Your devoted fan, Elaine
A   Avatar
February 16, 2016 at 12:47 PM
Elaine, this one is my favorite from all the entries. HUGS... LINDA
Milliner Avatar
February 16, 2016 at 11:31 AM
A well deserved win!!!
George   Avatar
February 17, 2016 at 2:04 PM
Thank you, Sarita. Elaine
Marcum Wong Avatar
February 16, 2016 at 11:28 AM
Oh Elaine, this is one of your best poems. The detail you make us aware of like in your seventh stanza. This is magnificent and a fave for me! #7 ; )
George   Avatar
February 17, 2016 at 2:11 PM
Thank you dear Connie. You are always so supportive of my writing and I hope you know how much it means to me. Sincerely, Elaine
A. Sharma Avatar
February 16, 2016 at 1:11 AM
Wonderful write Elaine n so is the win.. big congrats!
George   Avatar
February 17, 2016 at 2:22 PM
Thank you so much, Upma. Elaine
Gentry Avatar
February 16, 2016 at 1:10 AM
Congratulations on your win!
George   Avatar
February 17, 2016 at 2:35 PM
Thank you so much, Susan. Elaine
Lawless Avatar
February 15, 2016 at 6:00 PM
Way to go Elaine!!! This is a brief "tour de Owl" quietly leading us on an overnight trip on silent wings. Well done.
George   Avatar
February 17, 2016 at 2:50 PM
Thank you so much, John. I loved writing this. Elaine
May Avatar
February 15, 2016 at 11:05 AM
Grteat write Elaine...Congrats on your win
George   Avatar
February 17, 2016 at 2:54 PM
Thank you so much, Joe. Elaine
Rycroft Avatar
February 15, 2016 at 10:34 AM
well done good poem congrats xxx
George   Avatar
February 17, 2016 at 2:57 PM
Thank you so much Wendy. Elaine
Lane Avatar
February 15, 2016 at 10:04 AM
Your owl covered lots of ground with this one, Elaine...a very nice win. Congratulations.
George   Avatar
February 17, 2016 at 2:57 PM
Thank you, Lin. Elaine
Haight Avatar
February 15, 2016 at 9:50 AM
So very descriptive and well-written, Elaine. Congratulations on your fine win! Hugs, Sandra
George   Avatar
February 17, 2016 at 2:57 PM
Thank you Sandra. Elaine
Turner Avatar
February 15, 2016 at 7:08 AM
Ah my dear, back to say congratulations on this prize winning write. A very deserving winner, Elaine. Peace:)
George   Avatar
February 17, 2016 at 1:19 PM
Thank you so much, Daniel.
Onclaud Avatar
February 15, 2016 at 3:59 AM
how vivid and well portrayed, elaine... i like this a lot!... huggs and congrats!
George   Avatar
February 17, 2016 at 1:17 PM
Thank you so much Nette. Elaine
Roper Avatar
February 14, 2016 at 10:39 PM
Elaine , your “The Great Horned Owl ” was wonderful! Thank you so much for writing a very special poem for my contest I was honored. Happy Valentine’s Day Hugs Eve
George   Avatar
February 15, 2016 at 3:25 AM
Thank you Eve, The honor was all mine. Elaine
Dietrich Avatar
February 14, 2016 at 7:41 PM
very descriptive this is. I really like it, and especially how you focused on the way the bird was flying , to different locations. like a real "bird's eye view"
George   Avatar
February 17, 2016 at 2:58 PM
Thank you so much, Andrea. Elaine
Lindley Avatar
February 14, 2016 at 3:08 PM
This my friend, is epically good.. I was in flight with you(the owl) all the way. Amazing verses one and all. A7
George   Avatar
February 17, 2016 at 3:00 PM
Thank you so much, Robert. Elaine
Pinet Avatar
February 14, 2016 at 11:36 AM
Your have a gift in telling a story that lets the reader feel a part of what is unfolding before them. Well written. Emile.
George   Avatar
February 17, 2016 at 1:14 PM
Thank you so much for you very kind comments, Emile.Elaine
Callus Avatar
February 14, 2016 at 6:44 AM
Excellent personification, Elaine! I followed every move you made, enjoying the scenery, as you took to the sky and went in search of prey. The 2nd to last stanza is quite touching. #7 ~ Regards .. and happy Valentine's Day:) // paul
George   Avatar
February 17, 2016 at 12:51 PM
Thank you so much for your kind comments Paul. Elaine
A   Avatar
February 13, 2016 at 4:35 PM
Hello, Elaine, I like your personification on the owl. You did wonderful flying and describing the purity of the Great Horned Owl. Right now, Owls are being symbolized all over Texas. Glad to see you are not scared of heights. Love it my! ;) Happy Valentines to you..... XOX ~Love LINDA~
George   Avatar
February 17, 2016 at 12:50 PM
Thank you so much, Linda.
Adams Avatar
February 13, 2016 at 10:44 AM
you did a wonderful job with this one...great personification! Wonderful images! Good luck in the contest!
George   Avatar
February 13, 2016 at 2:10 PM
Thanks for your kind comments and for your soup mail, Sandra. Much appreciated.
Turner Avatar
February 13, 2016 at 6:52 AM
You have done well here, Elaine. A vivid personification.
George   Avatar
February 13, 2016 at 6:54 AM
Thank you, Daniel!
12
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