'I Am A Brother to Dragons and a Companion to Owls"

The title of this entry comes from Job 30:29...I had read it years ago, and I knew it was Biblical, but couldn't remember what book it came from or in what context. Job says this when talking of his suffering as a pawn in the game between God and Satan, I believe. I always liked this line...it sounds good, and I've always liked owls. My brother has always liked dragons, and he got a tattoo of a dragon claw, so in a way I am brother to a dragon as well. My Mother has always liked owls, too...she has a good-sized collection of owl figurines she's recieved over the years, many from myself.

All this came to mind as I went on a walk tonight with my friend Nicole. As we passed the elementary school in the neighborhood, she pointed and said, "Is that an owl?" I looked up at first, expecting to see one in flight. Instead, I saw just the opposite...there was a large, dead owl laying in the parking lot of the school. We both felt bad, but I suspect I felt even worse, given my connection to them. I almost took a feather from the owl, as sort of a shamanistic token, but I chose to leave him be instead. I'm sure someone will remove him , probably before the kids arrive for school in the morning.

Somehow this all makes me think of my family...my Mother, my Grandmother that just passed away, and my brother.

I hope that the owl is flying somewhere beyond this world, his wings stretched against a night sky, eyes gleaming in the moonlight.