The Worry Owl

'The Worry Owl' by Holly Johnson

The Worry Owl
(for Holly)

A new friendship,
the bond of being
 widowed too young.
Calm, caring, thoughtful conversation
with an openness provided
by that unwelcome,
but very real bond.
Talk of connections in nature –
heart rocks, dragonflies, birds of all kinds.
Of love lost, but not.
The gift of a painting,
clearly done from the heart.
A calm, caring, thoughtful owl
peering out from the trunk of a tree.
The Worry Owl you called it,
with the advice,
“Let the owl do the worrying.”
Thank you, Holly,
for the Worry Owl
that keeps me company
all these years later,
but most especially for the gift
of your calm, caring, thoughtful presence
in the lives of all of us
who had the good fortune
to know you,
your beautiful being.

With love,
Sarah Carlson
November 8, 2018