Nature's Surprise Visit
A Surprise
Yellow fluttering of autumn leaves
on elm and locust trees
added a dazzling, yet delicate charm
to our daily evening walk
when from behind and just above us
and through the branches,
a dark shape with long wings
slipped past the tree ahead,
turning into the sun
so its head shone white
“An eagle?”
The bird rose up again, high above,
its midnight blackness
shimmering in sun’s brightness
its croaking a low gurgle—
“Raven!”
A soft whoosh blew by,
just above our heads—
a mottled full-body
flapping soundless
below an elm’s branch—
“an owl?”
and on up to land in another
hidden by shadowed branches
and still quivering golden leaves
followed by a second raven: “Caw”
Both ravens dove in
grabbing with grey feet
the elm’s branches—
three birds hidden
in the drab limbs of sunset—
raven, wings in kerfuffle,
springing and cawing
closer and closer
to—
“Yes— Great Horned Owl”
Its face highlighted by sunset’s
shining rays between the elm’s leaves
Its face turning and listening
eyes wider and more bold
turning and listening
as angry guttural caws
command, “Leave! Leave!”
And so Owl fell in a swoop
in front of us,
seemingly floating away,
the ravens swift to the chase,
“A mobbing”
we witnessed
as we watched with wonder
though all had vanished past
the yellow fluttering of autumn leaves
on elm and locust trees.
#writeout
Sheri Edwards
Photography/Poetry
10.18.24
Today’s #writeout Get outside and write poetry for the planet —Today a surprise witnessing#nationalwritingproject
#nationalparkservice
#clmooc #poetry #poetry24 #raven #greathornedowl #owl
for more info:
https://sheri42.net/2024/10/18/writeout-a-surprise/
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