Wednesday 19 March 2014

POETRY JAM - THE OWL

“The wailing owl screams solitary to the mournful moon.” - David Mallet

Poetry Jam this week is devoted to owls. We are enjoined to: “So this week think and write about this mysterious of birds. This wonderful, beautiful free spirit of the night sky.”
Here is my contribution:

The Owl and the Moon


Tu-whit tu-whoo...

The owl cries and the crickets chirp
As full moon rises,
Tonight.

Who calls? Who walks?
When all would sleep,
As clouds part,
Tonight?

Tu-whit tu-whoo,
With eyes wide-open,
Mirroring owl-moon,
Tonight!

A ghost? A sprite?
Unquiet graves haunting,
As moon spellbinds,
Tonight…

Tu-whit tu-whoo -
Fear not, walk slow,
True wisdom’s always silent,
Stay calm, and banish demons
Tonight and every night.

My hand is cold,
My heart beats quick,
As owl hoots, tu-whoo,
And nightjar warbles,
Tonight.

An owlet screeches,
A nighthawk cries:
My love wanes cold,
My bed lies empty
Tonight and every night…

14 comments:

  1. You almost create a Shakespearean atmosphere here
    Tu -wit tu -whoo
    and greasy Joan doth keel the pot.
    I enjoyed this. It ends sadly. Autumn is here. You must find yourself a love soon for winter is upon us :)

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  2. that's a merry note from this owl...seems he's had a bellyful of dinner...nice lines...

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  3. Very atmospheric and eerie, Nicholas. It had an almost "Twilight" lovers feel to it.

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  4. I love the rhythm in your poem ... lovely work.

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  5. So much atmosphere - you have captured the eery sights and sounds.......

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  6. I agree, there is a definite feeling of ghostly love here

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  7. Elicits visceral, haunting strong emotions - a palpable aloneness in the images and sounds played out against the owl-moon in the night sky.

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  8. You have really created an excellent portrait of an owl, Nick. I love the sounds especially. I can hear its ghostly sounds in your well-chosen words.

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  9. This creates an amazing atmosphere and puts you there with the owl. Well done.

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  10. Wonderful poem which creates an uncanny atmosphere. Very gothic!

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  11. nice turn to personal there in the last stanza...the empty bed
    love the sounds of the night...of the owl...
    and your use of it sets up that close nicely

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