Building Owls

This is another one of those poems that grabs students. It's a little poem. It's a simple idea. But somehow, it's extremely esoteric, which is why I wonder at the students liking it so. I guess they just crave poetry.



How to Build an Owl

Kathleen Lynch 

1. Decide you must.

2. Develop deep respect
for feather, bone, claw.

3. Place your trembling thumb
where the heart will be:
for one hundred hours watch
so you will know
where to put the first feather.

4. Stay awake forever.
When the bird takes shape
gently pry open its beak
and whisper into it: mouse.

5. Let it go.