Worm Moon

an owl bats the air

with one wing on the East wind,

one wing on the West wind—

the lilt of the land like

a live wire,

up and down

in the rain and dark

but alas, soon

his nest is in view,

in the knot and nape

of the jade yews.

Home,

see his mate rise

to give a full beak kiss,

nod, then show him

the pale lily eggs,

warm and new.

See him pull her near

and say,

“Oh love of mine,

this is my oath:

in this vale of

land, sea and air,

I hail and call down the moon

to rise and set,

wax and wane

upon your bid

and all for you.”