BARN OWL

Down on the roadside
Simply complex patterns
Of colors, feathers,
Heartshaped oval face
Wistful wisdom, wry humor,
Once-knowing eyes.
Mice were not his enemies:
We all consume our friends to live.
Sparrows fly over this fluff
Without flinching,
No more dread of day
Now returned to darkness
And earth, returned to the mice
Without reserve,
Death of beauty.


Utah 1984
M. Reynolds