On Owls
for Laura Carter

They have big eyes and always ask.

Mice are their dinner. Mice are their brunch.

Owls inhabit caves and trees in poems and life.

A mechanical owl perched on one’s shoulder can portend danger.

The owl can spin his head around like Linda Blair.

Owls don’t appreciate the sexy soul stylings of Marvin Gaye.

Marvin Gaye’s dad also didn’t appreciate his son’s stylings.

When I’m making love to a woman, I sometimes think of owls to delay climax.

The owl is unsexy.

In general, big eyes are sexy. The eyes of the owl are not.

The owl, squat like a weeble wobble, looks as if it should not fly.

But, I, squat and stooped, look as if I cannot dance.

We all have pleasant secrets.