The predawn quiet at the edge of the woods
broken by the eight-note hoot
a barred owl resting on a pine bough
and the sweet, bright song of a Carolina wren.

Broken by the eight-note hoot
singing sparrows join the dawn chorus
and the sweet, bright song of a Carolina wren
pileated woodpeckers bang insistently above.

Singing sparrows join the dawn chorus
and to my left three deer tramp by
pileated woodpeckers bang insistently above
through the dry winter brush.

And to my left three deer tramp by
a barred owl resting on a pine bough
through the dry winter brush
the predawn quiet at the edge of the woods.


*This poem is a Pantoum, a Malaysian form with four line stanzas and a clear repeat pattern designed to create a musical circular effect. The poem is built with eight lines. My poem focuses on my morning sounds as I spend more time outdoors. The pattern is as follows: 1,2,3,4. 2,5,4,6. 5,7,6,8. 7,3,8,1. (For another example and the inspiration for my poem, check out Padraig O’Tuama’s New Year’s pantoum here.)