One of the things that’s so neat about this Arkansas town is that fields, pastures, and woods are just a block or two away, and oh, my goodness! I hope it stays that way. It seems that every time I look, another pasture has been gobbled up by “progress”. In just the time I’ve lived here, many of the beautiful, open spaces that once were are now cluttered with buildings and covered over by concrete and asphalt. Where will all the owls and wild animals go when there’s no longer any room for them?
A few years back, we had an owl somewhere near-by. I’d hear him sometimes at night and I loved the soft sound of his voice. So, the following poem I wrote is based on truth.
Neighborhood Owl
There’s an owl in the neighborhood. I heard him late last night
When the wind was wild and restless and the moon was round and white.
I hurried to my window but nothing I could see
Showed anyone in all the town had wakened–only me.
Owls live in the forest where trees are dark and tall
But I am sure that here in town I heard a night owl call.
Sometimes I’d hear one in Wisconsin.
The owl is my favorite bird, followed by the whippoorwill. I am so sorry they are being crowded out and sometimes even killed. It’s a shame.
I love this poem! And owls and round moons and windy nights! I’m so glad you have enough wild around you that you have special visitors like this, speaking only to you. 🙂
Thank you, Kimberly. Owls are my favorite bird and it’s always special to me when I hear one. Yes, even in town, we have some wildlife and I’m glad.