the hawk sits, frozen
still as the one-eyed owl
that watches over the yard
where the squirrel
flits
busy, burying its nuts in the tall flower pots
for cold-weather snacking
on the deck
the hawk moves slightly
nodding its head
as the squirrel darts
jagged, pressing its nails into the oak’s old bark
and climbing for leafy shelter
in the branches
the hawk flies suddenly
stabs its talons
snaps it beak
hungry, disturbs the limbs with its wings,
littering the squirrel’s playground
in a hail of acorns
the squirrel, who saw it coming,
scurries for deep cover
where the leaves are the thickest
and the branches
twist
to
twine,
leaving only a taste of its bushy tail
behind
the one-eyed owl sits on its deck-rail perch,
observant,
and
grins
~
Words and Photography ©2018 Tanya Cliff ~ to contact me
Posted in poetry & free verse.
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What a lovely tale…I love the one “one-eyed” owl, he has lots of character and I can just imagine that cheeky grin!
Thank you! He is still sitting on that railing and watching over the wildlife antics in the backyard—animal and human. 😂😊
Have a great upcoming weekend!
Thank you…there is the farmer’s market to explore on Saturday morning and hopefully some walks in the forest!
That sounds delicious! 💕
Wow. You got into the spirit of the stuff
Hi, Rajiv! I get lots of inspiration from my lively backyard critters (and humans 😂). Have a great weekend!
Thanks !
Can I borrow that owl to scare of the mouse, who has stolen already two sunflowers?
You should borrow my neighbor’s huge cat. He catches mice in our backyard and plays with them on our patio until we acknowledge his prowess. 😂 Hugs, Patty!
Well, our dog those too, but that mouse figured out when we are not in the garden…grrrr
hahaha
lol…smart mouse!
Cleve hawk.most interesting poem.wonderful personification of an owl.dear!!
Thank you, Aruna! ☺💐
You are most welcome.