Eagle Owl Caged

Deep in the wood’s shadow, amber eyes

glow, swivel at my approach: one

fluid move, a ruffle of specked feathers

and we are eye to eye.

We were never meant to meet:

this haunting cry through the bristling night,

swoop of dark wings across

the moon’s spilt path, sudden scream

in a ghostly hunt, hunched here

now mute, exposed to day, unable to fly

across the brutally low cage.

Averting my gaze

in sympathy I leave. Since I’m neither foe

nor prey his eyes no longer follow me

but stare impassively ahead:

this ready sentinel,

strong each soundless moment