Gift of the Hart

Cooperation of life.

One morning during outside work,
the lawn-mower still in its bay,
what happened next was quite a quirk--
a large Barred Owl swooped down my way.

His presence seemed to indicate
a need I soon became aware;
there was no hoot to subjugate--
he still was master of the air.

Yet in his eyes I saw a plea
and to this day I don't know how,
that registered, “Please follow me,”
that I could be of help, and now.

I dropped my rake and followed on,
he looped small circles in the sky.
On through the field, the woods beyond
directed by a winged ally.

We then arrived upon the lake
and now the need became quite clear;
for trapped among the driftwood's wake
in struggle was a young, red deer.

The Barred Owl lighted in an oak,
the hart in snare displayed his fear;
my tone was gentle as I spoke
to calm and comfort nature's ear.

There was a riot of thrashing,
bramble and vine were intertwined;
yet after all of that splashing
the hart and freedom were aligned.

In haste he started off from shore
as I shook water from my crop;
but just as he was at the door
I saw the heart of nature stop.

In sudden hart serenity,
inner peace of the deer composed,
his heartfelt eyes looked right at me
and then to where the Barred Owl dozed.

He looked upon the verdant wood
then picked a piece of precious land;
he came to me, to where I stood
and placed a fern within my hand.

Reviews

[Raj Sahu]

It is a very good work indeed. Nice narrative!!
Thank you.
Hearty Congratulations!!

[Addict With a Pen]

Very nice poem, I like the whole nature feel of it. I'm looking forward to reading your more recent work.

[Dinesh Sairam]

"He looked upon the verdant wood
then picked a piece of precious land;
he came to me, to where I stood
and placed a fern within my hand."

Bravo. It's just like reading the narrative pieces of Wordsworth or Kipling. I don't know if this really happened to you or not, but if it did, I'd be more happy to know you chose to make poetry out of the simple thing in the walk of life. Keep writing.

[JENY]

Your love for nature is very evident in your lines….
Enjoyed the poem….so much….
It seems you are an excellent observer of nature….

[Karina Longo]

I love when people can tell stories through poetry. Me, I don't have this ability. You do. It's beautifully well-structured and the story itself is delightful to read. I really like it.

[Desert Dreamer]

A wonderful poetic tale that highlights our connection with nature. One must listen and observe. A very believable story, except for the fern leaf in the final line. Oh, but I loved it all.

[Gone]

Delightful story and well crafted poetry. Love it.

[ice]

Beauty and wonder in every stanza...I felt very good after reading this poem..
It connected me to the place where I feel most connected to the earth.
That place, in my inner being that explains my place in nature, and makes more clear the lessons sent by its animal spirit, couriers.
thank you
ice

[Tate Morgan]

I like the rhyme most as I like melody i think this is the best part from it and like me you finish well
In sudden hart serenity,
inner peace of the deer composed,
his heartfelt eyes looked right at me
and then to where the Barred Owl dozed.

He looked upon the verdant wood
then picked a piece of precious land;
he came to me, to where I stood
and placed a fern within my hand.

[Cherrie Palmer]

The steady meter of your poem was well thought out. I liked the occasional break of the beat to highlight a word. Your story unfolds in a delightful manner, great job. Cherrie