Friday, January 1, 2010

669. OWL EAR HOLE

OWL EAR HOLE
That speckled spot on the owl's
scalp, that's the ear hole they use to
hear - usually covered by feathers and down,
pointed in some species as a little quick crown.
-
You know those people who sleep 'till ten?
Like them, the long-suffering owl waits,
stays late, warily eyeing the ground and
the landscape before it : barn owl frequenter
of the night who stays too late into the day.
Swoops in despicable arcs to gain its prey.
-
Having in hand (so to speak) the grub of
its claw, the mouthed morsel with its
tearing beak, it gorges the moment, effusive,
with blood and bone, until that of-late
field mouse is digested home. Once more,
soon splattered like greasy paint
upon the Earth's long
suffering surface.

No comments: