For my prompt over at Real Toads, Moonstruck, in which we write poems of 100 words or less about the different full moons. 88 words total. I am wanting people to think about their word choices rather than just writing for length.
Beavers Sleeping
The full cold moon
shone down upon the beaver lodges –
The beavers sleeping soundly
in the cold. The shadow of the owl
flashed upon the moon like
a movie projection –
black – winging slowly looking
for food – huge wings beating
slowly, strongly.
A cry from the darkness,
a rabbit or a possum or
a stray feral cat –
food for the owl on this full cold moon.
Ghosting through the forest
gliding over the ice covered road –
Seeking, ever seeking.
Beavers sleep soundly, safely
in their lodges dreaming of summer.
kanzen sakura 
Dec 22, 2018 @ 22:26:14
This is wonderful! I think you have some Walt Whitman in you, girl, the way you write about the natural world.
You accomplished your goal with me, by the way. My original was 128 words and i trimmed it down to just under 100. I think it is crisper, cleaner, but it also lost the explanation for the “man in love, but not with me.” The manager had a thing going with one of the hostesses.
I don’t like word limits that stem from short attention spans, but i DO like your reason, to learn to make choices, trim the fat, and be more concise. That’s at the very heart of good writing.
Dec 23, 2018 @ 00:45:53
A poem to appeal to all the senses. I felt a part of the scene.
Dec 23, 2018 @ 03:56:31
I watched this poem run like a film through my head, Toni, and it reminded me a little of Watership Down, only happier. I especially love the lines:
‘…The shadow of the owl
flashed upon the moon like
a movie projection’
…
‘Ghosting through the forest
gliding over the ice covered road –
Seeking, ever seeking’.
Dec 23, 2018 @ 06:57:41
Two characters in this deep winter drama – the predating owl and hibernating beaver — offer harrow and hallow to us gazing at the moon this time of year. So finely etched here, Toni.
Dec 23, 2018 @ 07:30:43
This is absolutely amazing! I always admire the way you describe nature in your poems ❤ especially love; “The shadow of the owl flashed upon the moon like a movie projection.” 😊
Dec 23, 2018 @ 09:08:52
“The shadow of the owl
flashed upon the moon like
a movie projection”
I love that description.
I’m glad the beavers are sleeping and safe.
Dec 23, 2018 @ 13:55:20
Always, someone wants to eat someone…beautiful in your choice of words…
Dec 23, 2018 @ 15:49:07
I love how the beavers wait out the winter (probably nibbling a bit on branches) while the owl are out there hunting hunting…
Dec 24, 2018 @ 08:06:45
The image of that hungry owl is rather powerful.. and as for the beavers, I’m so jealous!