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Owl Poems
An owl caught Zach Hively going from a wedding to a gravedigging. From that encounter sprouted this series of poems and illustrations. Owl Poems grapples with ancestral loneliness and intense natural connection in sparse, evocative, even lighthearted imagery, guided always by the wise, observant, death-dealing owl.
These poems, from the Reading the West Book Award-winning poet of Desert Apocrypha and the Top of the Rockies award-winning humor columnist behind Fool's Gold, "will be boon companions for many, many years" (V. B. Price).
These poems, from the Reading the West Book Award-winning poet of Desert Apocrypha and the Top of the Rockies award-winning humor columnist behind Fool's Gold, "will be boon companions for many, many years" (V. B. Price).
- GenresPoetry
72 pages, Paperback
Published December 13, 2022
3 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 15, 2023
This is a small book, with huge poems, and delightful art. Open the book and begin with the words: “World-watching Owl,” / wielder of wisdom, / … / into the necessities of both / beginnings and ends.” The poems after this first one run the gamut from prose to haiku, to narrative.
Some of these poems brought forth laughter, all brought forth thinking. And the last poem, “An owl’s blessing”, oh, what a blessing it is. “May your feet always be quick, / because a chase is more fun. / … / I will mantle my wings around you, / All is not and never will be lost.” I have read this last poem over and over and over again.
This is a delightful book, full of owl wisdom, and one I will read through many times.
Some of these poems brought forth laughter, all brought forth thinking. And the last poem, “An owl’s blessing”, oh, what a blessing it is. “May your feet always be quick, / because a chase is more fun. / … / I will mantle my wings around you, / All is not and never will be lost.” I have read this last poem over and over and over again.
This is a delightful book, full of owl wisdom, and one I will read through many times.
January 18, 2024
What is our relationship to nature? What unexpected gifts does it give us--a primrose blooming against all odds? What do we owe to it? What do we do with an owl, dead and lying on the side of the road? The poems explore the symbolism of the owl, and what we know of the daily reality of owls if we live out in the country. If there is not a culture commanding a special relationship to the beings around us, how do we determine what that ought to be for us in our own lives? This sounds heady, but there is also a lot, a lot, of humor in these poems: "I was thinking about owls and how I am too busy to write them letters." Glad the poet got some time.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews