Barn Owls Down Poem by Denys E. W. Jones

Economy is picking up,
Consumers go to town.
House prices, at last, on the rise,
But barn owls' numbers down.

One thousand breeding pairs are left,
The rest cannot be found.
There should be three or four times more,
But owls? Thin on the ground.

The fox (no longer hunted) thrives,
Stray cats as ever prowl.
But blessed by luck must counted be
Who sees or hears an owl.

Freak weather four years on the trot
Has taken a grim toll.
So many nesting owls killed off
By blizzard, wet and cold.

Plus not forgetting pesticides,
Or poison meant for rats.
They're not much good for barn owls too,
This is the plain, sad fact.

We're in the midst of winter,
Though spring will soon come round.
Scant comfort to the poor barn owls,
White face and feathers brown.

A prince is born, who we're assured
Will one day wear the Crown.
Not two hoots could the barn owls give,
Nor any other sound.

All smiles have been wiped off my face,
Replaced by mournful frown.
The New Year brings no cause for joy
With Barn Owl so cut down.

5/1/14