Ode To An Owl Poem by Jeff Stoddart

Inhuman wretch..! one flash and life departs
From downy breast that lately trilled an air
And now the cold grey grip of death it starts
Your dripping blood tempts reynard from his lair.

No more to sing sweet wise bird of the night
no more to forage for your daily food
And never more to wheel in magic flight
And never more to raise your tender brood.

And shame, for shame it is..that makes me write
Can never more replace your tender heart
And fear, for fear it is can't make it right.
Nothing now can stop that piercing dart.

I loathe the devil earlier today,
That caused my breaking heart to rue this date
For one mad moment all my life i'll pay
And curse my aim...and mourn your hopeless fate.