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.
~ Kathleen Lynch, “How to Build an Owl” from How to Build an Owl and other poems
Notes: Poem, thank you Hammock Papers. Photo: “White-faced Owl“ by | Patrick Monatsberger
