Waiting For Owls

As autumn wanes and winter falls,
I always wait for owls' calls
They must not live near me, close by,
so seldom do I hear their cry,
but every winter, once or twice,
they come to my woodlot for mice.

And so I know, on some cold night,
when milky moon spills liquid light,
a muffled wail, a haunting chide
will part the darkness, here, inside.
And I will turn, lie very still
and listen to the hooting— shrill,
and then, again, musky and loud,
enfolded in a billowed cloud.

With fog it fades, as great wings beat
through gauzy gloom, where wild things meet,
and trees and owls and creatures blend
in ancient turns that never end.

As echoed voices wend away,
while morning turns the black to gray,
beyond my lot, their hazy howls
float back to where I wait for owls.

*this poem was featured in my regional newspaper in Feb. 2020
Copyright © | Year Posted 2020

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Kendrick Avatar
December 30, 2025 at 7:25 AM
Ahh!!! I like this one. It has good rhythm, rhyme and flow. I like the theme of the work as well. I don't see or hear owls where I live but I am not a night person so they could come out and when I have no idea that they are around. I did long time ago hear owl calls, but I found out that deer hunters use that to draw deer to a place. Thank you for sharing this one with us. Congrats on it being featured on homepage. Sara K
Bangalee Avatar
June 8, 2020 at 3:28 AM
...on some cold night, when milky moon spills liquid light, a muffled wail, a haunting chide will part the darkness, here, inside....excellent thrilling situation.... excitement feelings...... enjoyable poem shared
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace