Awakening the Divine

It has been said
That love alone can awaken the divine within
Well, I am in love 
With a burrowing owl!
Each day, I am pulled
My heart strings tug wildly
Calling me to walk down to the burrows

I am delighted when I spot the owl
His squat, feathered body tucked amongst the grass. 
He sits just atop his burrow
There are particles of sand on his face
But still, he wears his chestnut and white feathers
As he stands bravely out of his safe home
Like Joseph wears his coat of many colors

I approach quietly
Creeping slowly forward
Like children returning from recess
But I am going toward excitement
Forcing myself to hold back so as not to frighten
He and I exchange glances
I speak quietly and, I hope, reassuringly
He allows me to remain
He remains
I ease myself onto the grass
Camera in hand.

Joyfully, I observe his actions
Always alert, on guard
But when he feels safe
He will look into my eyes
And I pretend he loves me, too!
His eyes register myriad emotions
Curiosity, alarm, disgust, pleasure, wisdom 
And more which I cannot read

A couple of women come jaunting up 
No kind words, no gradual entrance
The owl’s face registers alarm
He squawks 
They continue forward
He rattles 
The sound, indistinguishable from a rattle snake,
Shouts leave now!!
Do they notice his distress, I wonder
Or is he purely an exhibit
Present merely for their amusement?
They look and move on. 

And I wonder,
How did we humans come to believe
The world, nature, wildlife
Exists merely for our pleasure
For our consumption and entertainment
How can we ignore so blithely
The beauty and life
In all creation?
How can we miss the divine all around us?