I woke to a hoot in the dead of night,
or was it early morning?
On a branch outside my window
basked an owl in silvery light.
I’d hoped for a letter from Hogwarts, but no –
so went back to dream on my pillow.
Kim M. Russell, 10th March 2025
It’s Monday, and over at the dVerse Poets Pub we are having a poetic hootenanny with De. Yes we are writing quadrilles, poems of just 44 words, including one word provided by our host, which today is ‘hoot’.
De has given examples of quotes and poems containing the word in its various forms. As soon as I saw the word, I had an idea what I would be writing about, but it was the quote from Terry Pratchett that confirmed it.
writing in north norfolk 
Ha… I would love a visit from an owl like that. Where are the owls when you need them?
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In my garden!
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Love this. My kids are still waiting on their Hogwarts letters. 😉
Hubby and I are doing an “owl experience” in Scotland in late spring. Maybe I’ll get mine then. 😉
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Thanks De. I hope you enjoy Scotland and that you get your Hogwarts letter.
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A letter from Hogwarts — what a hoot that would have been! 🙂 Praying for your good health, Kim.
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Thank you kindly, Dora.
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💖🤗
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Kim, I totally missed that the top quote was from Terry Pratchett. Wonderful starting point for a poem. I’d love to wake to the sound of an owl hooting outside my window.
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Thank you, Lisa. Owls hooting are more soothing than a cockerel crowing.
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You’re welcome. Forgot to say last night, hoping the docs can sort out what’s going on with your health ❤
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❤
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I love the sound of a hooting owl. Wouldn’t it be great if they delivered poems to our doorsteps at night?
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Now that’s a thought, Ali!
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This was a nice surprise at the end.
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Thanks very much, Candy!
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Hogwarts is missing out on a magician of words! Made me smile, Kim.
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Thank you so much, Nolcha!
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Cute poem. 🙂
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Thank you, Maria.
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my daughter better not come across this piece or its another weekend of binging on the Harry Potter movies 🙂
love it! 😀 ❤
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Thank you. My grandson is the same – he’s only seven, and my daughter is rationing them age-appropriately.
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Sorry it wasn’t a letter from Hogwarts.😢
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Maybe one day…
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Ha! Dreams stay alove…..you constructed this piece so well..
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Thank you, Ain.
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Dreams stay alive, sorry Kim
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i was sorry to hear that you’re still not feeling well. i sincerely hope you feel better soon!
enjoyed your quadrille– and, who doesn’t want a letter from Hogwart’s?! ❤
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Delightful, Kim!
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Thank you, Carol!
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What a fun poem. Wouldn’t it be great if you had received a letter from Hogwarts.
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Thank you, Suzanne. I would have loved a letter from Hogwarts, and so would my grandson!
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Kim, this is such a charming piece! The mix of whimsy and reality in the owl encounter is delightful.
Much love,
David
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Thank you, David.
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How wonderful it would be to receive a letter from Hogwarts! Love your dreamy musings, Kim.
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Thanks Punam. I would love to be able to send a letter by owl to my grandson!
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Won’t that be great! You are welcome, Kim.
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Nice! Not all “hoots” carry the same meaning. 😉
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Thank you, Susan.
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I especially love how you portayed the owl basking “in silvery light”. A very soothing scene.
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Thank you, Mish.
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I sometimes hear the call of a great horned owl by me, and one time heard a screech owl, such an eerie call. But like you, I wouldn’t mind if any one of them sent an invitation to Hogwarts. 🙂
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Owl sounds are haunting but also comforting, I find.
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I couldn’t agree more.
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I love your poem, Kim! A letter from Hogwarts would be awesome!
Yvette M Calleiro :-)http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
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Thank you, Yvette!
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Haha, took me back to my early teens! Now day and night the dreams are stressed with deadlines and KPIs 🥱
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Thank you for reading and commenting!
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Fun poem, Kim! Would love to see an owl that close.
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Thanks Sara.
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Beautiful poem Kim, evocative for me.
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Thank you, Paul.
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