OWL

“OWL” was published in the Midwest Quarterly.

there is one thing to do 
before you leave 
go down to where the marsh 
has overtaken the old pasture 

past the crumbling 
barn veined in ivy 
and the tilting silo 

sit on a bank of sand there 
or on a slow-rotting log 
in the clear reflection 
of the evening sun 
gold light on your face 

listen for the owl 
that you have long traced 
but never seen 

that ancient voice calling 
your wood born soul 
to rise 
let it print its code 
on your neck and heart 

giving you what you need

to leave this time 
leave because the living road requires it 
leave again so that you may return