Dr Iain McGilchrist | Daily Poetry Readings #353: The Owl by Edward Thomas read by Dr Iain McGilchrist @DrIainMcGilchrist | Uploaded April 2021 | Updated October 2024, 21 hours ago.
Part 353 of a daily series of readings of his favourite poetry by Dr Iain McGilchrist, author of The Master and His Emissary. Today's poem is The Owl by Edward Thomas.

Please subscribe to this channel to be notified of the next reading.

For updates on Iain's upcoming new platform go to channelmcgilchrist.com

~ The Owl by Edward Thomas ~

Downhill I came, hungry, and yet not starved;
Cold, yet had heat within me that was proof
Against the North wind; tired, yet so that rest
Had seemed the sweetest thing under a roof.

Then at the inn I had food, fire, and rest,
Knowing how hungry, cold, and tired was I.
All of the night was quite barred out except
An owl’s cry, a most melancholy cry

Shaken out long and clear upon the hill,
No merry note, nor cause of merriment,
But one telling me plain what I escaped
And others could not, that night, as in I went.

And salted was my food, and my repose,
Salted and sobered, too, by the bird’s voice
Speaking for all who lay under the stars,
Soldiers and poor, unable to rejoice.