nightshift of April

softening of sun against the white birch
shadowed to the shape and shade of owl bones
settling the feathered things to quiet perch

steadily thickened comes this dark of night
full moon to give a glow to earth and stone
stillness white upon my tongue as starlight

diamonds pressed shining to black of evening
great horned owl calls a timeless haunting tone
night wraps velvet arms of pause--spring breathing