Tuesday, October 17, 2017

O is for Owl

ABC Wednesday
October 18th, 2017

O is for Owl, and for Mary Oliver


Little Owl Who Lives in the Orchard

by Mary Oliver

His beak could open a bottle,
and his eyes - when he lifts their soft lids -
go on reading something
just beyond your shoulder -
Blake maybe,
or the Book of Revelation.

Never mind that he eats only
the black-smocked crickets,
and dragonflies if they happen
to be out late over the ponds, and of course
the occasional festal mouse.
Never mind that he is only a memo 
from the offices of fear -

it's not size but surge that tells us
when we're in touch with something real,
and when I hear him in the orchard
fluttering
down the little aluminum
ladder of his scream -
when I see his wings open, like two black ferns,

a flurry of palpitations
as cold as sleet
rackets across the marshlands
of my heart,
like a wild spring day

Somewhere in the universe,
in the gallery of important things,
the babyish owl, ruffled and rakish,
sits on its pedestal.
Dear, dark dapple of plush!
A message reads the label,
from that mysterious conglomerate:
Oblivion and Co.
The hooked head stares
from its blouse of dark, feathery lace.
It could be a valentine.

Lots more interesting Os here, at ABC Wednesday
with thanks to those who maintain this meme.



11 comments:

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

O! How I love that poem. And all Mary Oliver really. Do you score double points for two wonderful Os?

Hildred said...

Oh yes, Sallie, - she has such a discerning eye and a special way of expressing the wonder in what she sees.

Rajesh said...

Very good one.

ABC-Wednesday said...

Wonderful poem and photo... owls are very special birds aren't they


Have a splendid, ♥-warming ABC-WEDNES-day / – week
♫ M e l ☺ d y ♫ (abc-w-team)
http://melodymusic.nl/21-o/

carol l mckenna said...

Beautiful photo of the gorgeous owl for O and I love Mary Oliver's poetry ~ thanks, ^_^

A ShutterBug Explores ~ aka (A Creative Harbor)

Unknown said...

What a lovely poem that fits the O so great!
Have a nice ABC~Week.
Daphne, ABCW~team
http://www.dcdjfotografie.nl/21-orchid/

Roger Owen Green said...

HOOOO is that?!
ROG, ABCW

Morning's Minion said...

With woods around us and the creek nearby we often hear the conversations of owls--barred owls and great horned owls. Beautiful creatures--but I sometimes worry about my outdoor cats as a possible owl meal.
Wonderful imagery in the poem.

Hill Top Post said...

I love owls and the poem! And, Mary Oliver!

Ann said...

My husband's mom loved owls, gave us a picture years ago.Similar to your image.
Ann

Joy said...

Mysterious and beautiful birds deserve a wonderful poem like that.