Deep in the wood on a clear winter`s eve
A snow owl rustles from its sleep

Its snowy mantle bursting in a cloud of swirling fleece
Starlight illuminating each suspended crystal masterpiece

Dropping from the snow laden limb, effortlessly spreading its wings
Manuevering faultlessly amid branches and sprigs

The arctic air at the mercy of its winged intruder
Yields passively to its gliding maneuvers

Scanning the opaque terrain`s features
Reveals the stirring of a creature

A fold of its wings, legs outstretched, talons extended
Silent in its descending

The prey below unaware of the violent daring
Concerns itself with its own caring

Its body in shock as its pounced in a devastating blow
Talons sinking into vibrant flesh, releasing warm liquidy life tainting the virgin snow

A moment of fury, snow, feathers, fur
Then stillness, as if nothing occurred

Heartbeats interacting but a moment
As one becomes erratic

Predator gauging its strike
Its victim not living out the night

A feeble attempt at freedom is abruptly ended
As beak savagely severing arteries is rendered

Wings folding over its stricken quarry
While death under this feathered shroud is not wary

The lone marauder its still warm prey clutched tight
Takes to flight into the cold star filled night