Rooster Cogburn !

Another blast from the past with a little poetic license thrown in for good measure!

Cherished dearly are my memories grand, 

of all the animals I've reared by hand

There's been many pets down through the years, 

of those now gone, I've shed tears!

Cats, dogs, hamsters, fish within a pond, 

newts and tadpoles that there spawned,

with rabbits, I’m also equally smitten

did you know a baby bunny, is known as a kitten?

 

But there was just one magnificent creature, 

a gift I received from my science teacher

that stood out tall and proud above the rest, 

as of his kind he was simply the best!

I got him as as a tiny yellow chick, 

but I fed him well and he grew up quick,

indeed he was an impressive, imposing sight, 

with my big Sussex rooster, no one picked a fight!

 

I bought him six fine laying hens, 

he needed no encouragement to make friends 

he soon built a reputation,  bold and game, 

so I called him 'Cogburn' after John Wayne!

One night a fox stopped by the chicken coop, 

its clear intent to kill this broody troupe,

but not a single feather was disturbed on any head, 

as the very next morning I found that reynard, bloody and dead!

 

He once had trouble from two rival, feathered foes, 

who charmed his lady hens, with amorous crows

but old Cogburn by nature, a  jealous bird, 

when he got wind of this, his wrath incurred!

He approached those impostors with a dropped wing, 

his unique war dance, a cockrell thing,

it ended quickly without a fuss or pain 

and a couple of would be suitors, ne'er crowed again!

 

I entered him into a country, game fair, 

he won first prize, the finest fowl there,

but I could not stay long to celebrate, 

as my rooster became frisky and fancied a date!

He broke out of his cage and feeling perky, 

unceremoniously climbed upon a terrified turkey,

so I rushed him back home, angry and moody, 

where he took out his frustrations on six hens, lewdly!

 

Now my old rooster has long passed on, 

to a heavenly harem of hens, for cockrells with brawn

but I’ll never forget him til the day I die, 

for he put the gravel in my gut, the spit in my eye!

So should a love rival, attempt to woe your wedded woman, 

don’t just stand there gawping, like a dried out lemon,

fight like a man to keep your lady true,

look any unscrupulous lothario in the eye

and cry out loud; “ C**k-a-doodle-doooooo”!

Author's Note

He never backed down no matter who or what stood in his way !

Reviews

[Samuel Dickens]

You're really good at this telling tales in rhyme. I've done it a few times and know how tough it can be. And the subject appeals greatly to my country boy heart. We had a mean old rooster when I was a teen that would flog mom when she was outside hanging clothes on the line. It would attack me and my brother, too. One Sunday, we had him with dumplings.

[Tom]

Thank you Samuel & yes indeed, he was a character for sure !

[Baby Ricochet]

What a delightful story. I pictured foghorn leghorn shot full of the best steroids money can buy.

[Tom]

You guessed him right Rico & thanks for your visit !

[Robbie~xoxo~]

I'm trying not to giggle Mr. Tom!... but what a feisty "C**k-a-doodle-doo"!
There is a wonderful lesson in your story...I enjoyed this piece immensely!
Very creative...Keep penning, my friend!~xoxo~:)

[Tom]

Thanks Robbie, old rooster Cogburn certainly loved his lady hens for sure !!!

[Robbie~xoxo~]

I can understand why! lol
Nice work!...They are certainly worth fighting for. ;)

[Great Aunt Astri]

What a lovely tale. I don't think I have ever heard before of someone who learnt their masculinity from a cockerel! Had me giggling out loud ... wonderful!

[Tom]

He was indeed a character & thanks for you're visit Great Aunt Astri !

[00000000000000000000000..]

Great write Tom, Your a great Rhymer/story teller:)

[Tom]

Thank you indeed Jonathan!

[0000000000000000000000000000]

Welcome Tom:)

[Sami Khalil]

This was so funny , informative , message filled and the rhyming was great too...I really enjoyed this read and liked the character for being courageous protective...Bravo

[Tom]

You got the gist Sami & thank you for you perceptive comments !

[Sami Khalil]

You are welcome...Any time...:)..................

[digital_angel19]

This story is so awesome. I really enjoyed reading this, partly because it is so entertaining, but also because it is a great piece of writing.

I really appreciate how your writing seamlessly moves from one point to another, especially in the beginning. This is great!

[Tom]

Thank you digital-angel19 for such a lovely review!

[Tom Rouse]

THAT is so COOL! Loved it! That's got to be one of your best my friend!

[Tom]

Thank you very much Tom !

[Sheila Kline]

Oh yes! C**k-a-doodle-doo for all the times Rooster Cogburn "roostered Up" and saved his lady hens, protected the others and remained king of the roost!

This is absolutely adorable, and hilarious, and your poetic license just makes it even more fun to read!

Rhyming is superb, flow as well with some wise words of advice for men to protect their lady's honour!!

[Tom]

Yes indeed Sheila, old rooster Cogburn led by example !

[icelandicblue]

Sounds like a feisty foe and a generous lover lol. It's a sweet and entertaining story.

[Tom]

Yes indeed ice'blue he certainly was loaded with both those attributes!! And thanks for the nice comment!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

great story of a courageous fowl---really enjoyed reading this.

jacob

[Tom]

Thank you indeed Jacob !