by Kathleen Lynch
ISBN: 097140853X
I don’t read much poetry, so finding a poem that I like is rare and reason enough to seek out more.
I forget now where I first read it (somewhere online, but Google is failing to help me retrieve the original pointer). I just remember wanting to read more when I came across this poem:
How to Build an Owl
- Decide you must.
- Develop deep respect
for feather, bone, claw.- Place your trembling thumb
where the heart will be:
for one hundred hours watch
so you will know
where to put the first feather.- Stay awake forever.
When the bird takes shape
gently pry open its beak
and whisper into it: mouse.- Let it go.
The first poem in the book, “How I Got Here”, ends with the lines “I chose one./ I folded my wings / and dove in.” So, yes, it was worth seeking out the book the poem came from and spending time with more of Lynch’s work.