Holding Our Breath

Holding Our Breath

Many years ago
I stepped out onto
this common balcony
& glanced up to the palm
shading the interior patio below,
my eyes meeting
the eyes of an
owl couple

& now many years later
that tree is gone, blown
over by a wind,
a nascent palm
growing in its spot

Someplace
in one tree in that
next-door courtyard,
I am told,
the owls now live

Under sea-mist hazed stars
I hoo-hoo-hoot to them,
the fronds chattering in the
night breeze
fall silent, holding
their breath
listening, too,
for their response

Author: Lorraine Caputo

Photo: PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay