Owl Haiku Poem About Nature’s Wise Birds|Example 5-7-5

I’ve always felt there’s something mysterious and contemplative about being in the woods at night. There’s some kind of ancient wisdom in nature that reveals itself when the day departs and the world gets still, gets quiet. Darkness brings out our ancient fears as well. It puts us on edge, wondering what animals lurk where we can’t see, while simultaneously bringing us in tune with the present moment, reminding us that there’s something larger than ourselves through the beauty of stars above, the cool wind blowing through leaves, or the echoing hoots of an owl. These moments of peace remind us that nature speaks if we’re willing to listen.

Inspired by the quiet wisdom of nature, I wrote the this contemporary 5-7-5 haiku bird poem:

Starlight shines on kings.
Crowns rest upon tufted ears.
Hushed wings carry truth.

Justin Farley

Click Here For My Bird Haiku Collection Page

A Reflection and the Meaning Of This Nature Haiku About Owls

In this bird haiku, I attempted to capture the owls as wise kings of the forest- a bird long symbolized with wisdom, intuition, and mystery. I’ve always found it remarkable that owls are animals that are able to fly pretty much silently, so their wings are actually “hushed”.

But more than that, owls are mystifying birds that really do seem to have some mystery to tell, but their wisdom is quiet and not brash like the crow of day. The owl reminds us that wisdom doesn’t always announce itself loudly—it often arrives in quiet moments, much like the silent flight of an owl gliding through the darkness.

I actually “stalked” a great horned owl the other night in the woods which was partly the inspiration for this poem. I had a hard time getting extremely close, though, because it was snowing and very cold. Unfortunately, my boots in the frozen snow made lots of noise.

My most vivid memory of owls is of me as a teen by myself in the woods around a dim fire. A great horned owl actually landed on a limb about 5 yards away from me. His eyes were glowing, lit up by the small flames of the fire. He just watched me, and I locked eyes with him, trying to stay as still as possible. He sat there for about 10 minutes before flying off. It was quite a mystical experience!

The Owl as a Symbol of Wisdom

Throughout history, owls have been symbolized across many different cultures. The Greek Goddess Athena may be the most famous example in mythology. The owl was sacred to Athena, the goddess of wisdom. The Greeks attributed insight and knowledge to the owl, and she is often depicted as one.

In Native American cultures, the owl is often seen as a messenger. Hearing its call at night was seen as a nudge towards deeper truths or omens of death. Even in modern times, we associate owls with intelligence and mystery, their wide, unblinking eyes in the darkness symbolize an ability to see secret truths where others can’t. I don’t necessarily believe in spirit animals, but owls do hold a special place in my heart because they are reminders for me to slow down, take in the world with open eyes, and try to find meaning in darkness.

Embracing the Stillness of Nature

But beyond myth and legend, owls can teach us a powerful lesson: wisdom is not about knowing everything—it’s about seeing clearly in the dark, using our knowledge with patience and learning from experiences. Just as the owl hunts with precision even in the blackest night, we also can learn to navigate the uncertainty of our lives with patience and awareness.

The forest at night has a way of shifting our perspective. When we disconnect from the busyness of daily life, we’re given the opportunity to reflect, to observe, and to reconnect with a deeper sense of purpose. it reminds that there is a whole world out there beyond the limited scope of our vision.

The silence of the night is not empty—it is full of quiet revelations. But we can only hear them if we take the time to listen. So the next time you find yourself out in nature beneath a starry sky, take a moment to embrace the stillness. Listen for the soft call of an owl. Perhaps, like in my haiku, it is whispering a truth you need to hear.

Do you find wisdom in the night? Have you ever felt a deep connection to an animal or natural setting that spoke to you in a profound way? Do you feel like you do have a spirit animal? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

Click Here For My Collection Of Nature Poems!

Enjoyed this nature poem? Here are a few others about birds as well as all my nature poetry.

Haiku Poem About Barn Owls Birds 5-7-5

A Poem About Crows – Mysterious Birds of Intelligence and Wisdom

Feathers On the Feeder – A Poem About Birds

The Cardinal – A Poem

You Can Find All My Nature Poems Here:

https://alongthebarrenroad.com/category/nature-poems/

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