Grandmother Owl in the Moon

The night’s eyes are constantly watching you.

As the stars dazzle in the night sky, she starts

Creeping closer and closer as you cried.

Picking bones from her teeth with talons soaked in

The tears of children who have lost their way.

Sometimes Brother Crane will help

When you’re trying to cross the river.

But only if you remove the louse from his feathers

Break the parasitic creature in your mouth

And hold tightly as the long legs lead you across,

Guided by the water to shore and safety.

When all you’ve learned in this world is

Fight or flight, all danger and demons

Look the same. Grandmother Owl hunts you down

Like prey, tormenting you as the sun sets

And the night falls quiet.