"Two wrongs may not make a right but a thousand wrongs make a writer.”

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Cock And Hen

The chickens murmur and coo while I fill their watering cans.
They cluck appreciation for hand-tossed grain and dart to and fro on spindly legs.
The ebony rooster with a red comb fluffs his feathers against the October sky.
He cocks his head and eyes my approach, runs and hides in the tall grass, like a fledgling.
He’s shy, this flamboyant rooster with the gallant tail feathers.
When he doesn’t think we see, he stands quietly midst his flock, head high.
They peck at his feet and pay homage to his plume.

One hen from another flock,
new to the coop and confused,
escaped under the poultry fence
and nested under the Russian sage beside the house.
I find eggs under the purple foliage.
She likes it there.

12 comments:

Anthony Duce said...

There is a calmness to these observations of the life here being observed. Very much enjoyed…

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

You put me right there. Beautifully observed and written.

Pet said...

What a bucolic life to you lead there!

Anne Gallagher said...

What a cute little hen, hiding in the underbrush to escape her fate. You can't kill her now.

Yvonne Osborne said...

Anthony,
The chickens are actually soothing to be around. I find it strange and unexpected. Free-range chickens are very happy creatures.
Thank you.

Tricia,
Thank you so much!

Pet,
I may have presented it as more bucolic than it is....the gut and grind and misfortunes are not as much fun to write about, but the pleasures do outweigh the pain. Thanks for commenting.

Anne,
Oh, we won't kill her! The hens generally lay for 2-3 years. Only when they are finished and old do they hit the stew pot. Then they continue to give. Thank you.

Charlie Rice said...

I would never make it on a farm. I'm grateful the meat I eat is already packaged for me in the supermarket. I'm like the kid in Charlotte's Web that wants to have the pig as a pet. :)

Jon Paul said...

Yvonne! You really do know how to turn a phrase! I love how you transmogrify a prosaic scene into something poetic and beautiful!

Thanks for brightening my Monday! :D

Sarah Allen said...

Beautiful! The whole air just seemed to smile and relax when I read it.

Sarah Allen
(my creative writing blog)

Yvonne Osborne said...

Charles,
Hi! Well, I've heard pigs make good pets, but I find it hard to believe. I think farming is one of those things that are hard to do if you aren't brought up with it. There's nothing wrong with the grocery store, as long as you know where the food is coming from. Thanks for commenting!

Jon Paul,
Thank you so much. I love it that someone reading my blog knows words like "transmogrify"! You brightened up my day too.

Yvonne Osborne said...

Sarah,
Thanks! What a lovely comment. Thank you.

Suzanne Casamento said...

Beautiful.

I want to come to your house!!! :)

Yvonne Osborne said...

Suzanne,
Thanks! I would love the company!