Words for the Soul

Momentary Gifts

An owl in the road

Stares at me as I drive up to it.

It doesnt move.

With the car at a dead stop,

Bright lights reflecting off its glassy eyes

I turn the headlights off, unblinding the owl

It continues to stare.

It's as if I was expected

At this nighttime rendezvous

In the middle of the road.

It doesnt move an inch.

I gaze in utter disbelief

And stare in awe.

I wonder many things

While the owl is still unfazed.

We continue to look into each other

As I begin to search for answers

In the glossy eyes

Of this unbothered owl.

The moment lasts

As the weight of a million realizations

Settles on my shoulders,

And things begin to make sense.

As the owl takes flight

Into the dark void,

Its brown, feathered body

Slowly fades into the darkness.

All the owls knowledge is granted

Through a momentary staring competition.

Everything I could have ever learned

Gifted in a minute-long interaction.

I begin to drive

Heavy, with the new wisdom Ive attained.