The Owl
Gorden J.L. Ramel

Watch therefore,
for you know neither
the day nor the hour.
- Matthew 25:13

Sharp the claws and sharp the bill,
quick the heart and great the skill,
deadly quiet, sitting still.

See the victim, running small,
makes its high-pitched squeaking call.
Note the patience, watch the fall
of the shadow from the wall.

Sharp the ears and sharp the eyes,
quick the moment of surprise;
hunter that mankind thinks wise.

Now! The one that never sings,
passes by on velvet wings,
harsh the message that it brings;
“Death must come to living things!”

Sharp the hunger, sharp the cry,
quick the end for those who die;
Death on silent wings doth fly.
 

Editor's Note

The author of this poem, Gordon J.L. Ramel, holds a Master's Degree in Ecology from the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom. He is currently co-ordinating a biodiversity project in Greece that has discovered over 50 species new to science and added over 1000 new records for the country.

Gordon has written a new book of poems titled The Whispering of the Leaves.

This poem was previously published offline in Carillon.

The photograph at the top of the page was taken by Craig Jones (UK)

Poem © Copyright 2009 Ecology Online Sweden.  All rights reserved.