Are Owls Really Wise?

Somber in appearance and demeanour,

Their enormous eyes portraying an impression of candour,

Extraordinary is their night vision,

Unmatched is their peripheral vision.

 

Amazing animals in their own right,

Incredible nocturnal hunters in the night,

Specialised hearing, camouflaging plumage and unique vision,

Traits making them almost invincible when they spring into action.

 

Light as feather they may be,

Their feathers giving a false impression for all to see,

Take their feathers away,

Their true size is revealed in a humiliating way.

 

Often used as a symbol of wisdom,

The sage of the animal kingdom,

The wise owl myth is so pervasive,

Linked to legends of the ancient Greek Goddess Athena though that isn’t conclusive.

 

Owls have been called wise,

Simply because they look wise,

Wise they may be in legend and mythology,

But not much so in reality.

 

Owls are not as smart as portrayed,

Their puny brains unfortunately betray,

Smart they are not,

Not by a long shot.