SPRING OWLS

Tonight I heard a barred owl call
in the hollow right behind my house
among the oaks ancient and tall,
perhaps it just had caught a mouse.
Two others answered before long.

Then soon it seemed the woods were full
each trying to outdo the other
beneath a moon that tended full.
They flew from one tree to another.
I realized they were voicing their love song.

In bed, darkness, and peace I listened
as they slowly worked their way downstream
through dew laid leaves which dimly glistened.
It seemed, almost, to be a dream
as the symphony became less strong.

At last their courtship came to an end
all while My love lay fast asleep
(or maybe her sleep was pretend).
Bedside clock moved at a creep
while my mind echoed with owls' song.

Then came a stirring next to me
and thoughts of courtship filled my head.
Those owls had set my eros free
So I touched my wife beneath bedspread.
When she asked me what was wrong
in the warm darkness iI just said "HOOT".