Poems About Owls

The path was purple in the dusk.
I saw an owl, perched,
on a branch.
Excerpt from “The Owl” by Arthur Sze

The owl, with its nocturnal lifestyle, distinct appearance, and its connection to legends and folklore, has made it the perfect subject for poets and poetry. Today we are reading owl-inspired poetry by Kobayashi Issa, Alan Watts, Emily Dickinson, and more.

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Owls in Haiku

In the 1800s, the Japanese poet Issa wrote several owl haiku.  Below are a few examples.

the owl is happy
in his solitude...
autumn dusk
-Issa

in the owl's opinion
every day
is long
-Issa

In 1973, Alan Watts wrote this haiku about an owl.

Owl at night
is always sound,
not sight
-Alan Watts

Athena’s owl also found her way into this 1965 haiku by Marjory Bates Pratt.

Athene’s small owl is there, 
perched on a column 
in ruined Ephesus. 
-Marjory Bates Pratt

In Ancient Greece, Athena, the goddess of wisdom, was often depicted with an owl.  Athena’s owl symbolized great knowledge and allowed her to see the truth.⁽²⁾ 

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Owls in Long Form Poetry

The legend of the wise old owl, which began back in Ancient Greece, was brought forward into modern culture with this childhood rhyme.

A wise old owl lived in an oak
The more he saw the less he spoke
The less he spoke the more he heard.
Why can't we all be like that wise old bird?

This nursery rhyme was first published in 1875.  At that time its last line was, “O, if men were all like that wise bird”⁽⁴⁾. Over the years,  the rhyme has gone through many revisions including the one below that was used during World War II. 

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In 1863, Emily Dickinson wrote her owl poem.

“The Judge is like the Owl” – by Emily Dickinson

The Judge is like the Owl –
I’ve heard my Father tell –
And Owls do build in Oaks –
So here’s a Amber Sill –
 
That slanted in my Path –
When going to the Barn –
And if it serve You for a 
House –
Itself is not in vain –
 
About the price – ’tis small –
I only ask a Tune
At Midnight – Let the Owl
select 
His favorite Refrain –

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Contemporary poet Susan Wood gives us this wonderful pairing of poetry and art called the “Dance of the Barn Owl”. 

Both Dickinson’s and Wood’s poems highlight the behaviors of the owl.  The gentle flight, the stoic perching, and the distinct call are all characteristics that make this bird so special.

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To close out this exploration into owl poetry, I want to return to Issa.  The following haiku was written in 1816.

you too owl
dedicate a haiku...
this winter rain
-Issa

David G. Lanoue says that with this haiku, “Issa alludes to the death anniversary of the great poet, Bashô: Tenth Month, 12th day. On this day, every poet worth his salt composes a verse in Bashô’s honor–including, Issa jokes, an owl.” ⁽⁵⁾

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Resources

1. Learn Religions.com Mictlantecuhtli: God of Death in Aztec Religion
2. GowiseOwl.com:What Does the Owl of Athena Represent?
3. Owlcation: The Symbolism of Owls in Japan
4. Wikipedia: Wise Old Owl
5. David G. Lanoue: Issa Haikus

The haiku from Alan Watts and Marjory Bates Pratt were sourced from “Owls: A Field Guide To North American Haiku” by Charles Trumbull first published in Frogpond volume 42.2

Issa’s haiku were found on Haikuguy.com.  This website holds a comprehensive list of Issa haiku translated and curated by David G. Lanoue.

Emily Dickinson’s “The Judge is Like an Owl” was found on Dickinson’s Birds

Susan Wood’s “Dance of the Barn Owl” can be found in her book Òran Uisge – Wildflower Meadow  or by visiting her website.  You can also read our interview with Susan Wood here.

“The Owl” by Arthur Sze can be found in his book The Glass Constellation: New and Collected Poems or at The Poetry Foundation

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