I talk to chickens!

There's method in my madness?

Don't think me bananas, cause I talk to Brahmas
Sussex, Leghorns and Rhode Island Red,
all breeds of chicken, scratching and picking
from early morn, till they go to bed.
Each bird has a name, no two the same,
Pinky and Perky, each as big as a turkey,
Jenny, Henny-penny, just a few of many,
hilarious, gregarious and quintessentially quirky.
I have no human friends, just a large flock of hens
and my wife ran away some years ago,
once cheek by jowl, she threw in the towel
when my Rhode Island rooster began to crow,
with stern scowl, she said, ' me or the fowl?
So alas, I had to let her to go!
No, I'll not renege on a hen or fresh egg
and should one ever talk back, I'll know I'm 'crackerjack'
for though chickens are clever, they cannot whatsoever
converse in two way conversation,
except for Winifred my Wyandotte, who tells me,
" it's people who have lost the plot"
and I agree with her astute observation!

Author's Note

Please, decide for yourself..

Reviews

[Mariej]

A very witty write, finely penned with so much humaneness and a love of animal life. I adore that you have given your chickens names and I love the names you have chosen for them. Laughing as I read the wise choice you made in answer to your wife's ultimatum! Congratulations on a choice well made, dear poet. I fully agree with Winifred, her wisdom is awesome! A beautifully visual write which captures the farmyard scene superbly! SO enjoyed reading, Tom! Thank you for sharing...

[Tom]

And as ever thank you Marie for your visit and encouraging summation of my poem!

[Mariej]

Most welcome, as always, Tom...

[Tabby Mac]

I LOVE THIS POEM! I love chickens too!! Well done! Clap clap clap!! You are witty!
Tabby

[Tom]

Thank you Tabbycat for your warm reciprocation!

[Tabby Mac]

A pleasure!

[AYVID N]

I agree with you too. One must hold on to what is dear. I had chickens once too and I loved the rooster crowing early morning. We used to forage for brown eggs. So reminiscent of a sweet, farm life. And when they had baby chicks, it was amazing! A wonderful poem with a great message Tom!

[Tom]

We sing from the same hymn sheet my dear friend, love the rooster morning crow too, vibrant, enthusiast that resonates the Joie de vivre!

Thank you Divya!

[AYVID N]

Reading this poem was such a pleasure dear Tom. Thank you for sharing.

[Tom]

You see! That old rooster bird we spoke off does indeed spread his happiness and enthusiasm to us humans as well..lol Especially pleased you enjoyed this one Divya!

[AYVID N]

Strange and sad how we in our advancement have divested ourselves of the basic and priceless sights ans sound of spiritual nature.

[Tom]

Yes, spot on Divya, spiritual nature, ever omnipresent, all powerful and so, so soul enriching for those that can 'tap' into its divine qualities and appreciate it's brilliance!

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Tom, We also love chickens. We have had Rhode Island Red who lay the gorgeous brown eggs. We even had an ornamental Japanese chicken or rooster with turquoise head and feet that are normally bright orange red. The beautiful white angora-like feathers were beautiful and even the feet had white feathers that looked like bedroom slippers. We named him or her "Buck Buck" and would run up to us like a puppy Dog ... so thrilled to see us. Buck buck did talk to us by actions... not words, but would also cluck and carry on. We also had a pet duck named "Sweetie heart" who loved us dearly. Her first two eggs were a light green in the Eve of St. Patricks Day. I would put the eggs in cakes. So I totally understand your love of the darling fowl. Your poem is delightful, but sad that your wife did not understand. truly, Pat

[Tom]

Don't worry too much Dearest Pat, Mrs Tom saw sense and came back lol....thanks indeed for your welcome words and keen insight my friend!

[Sheila Kline]

Tom, I have such fond memories of feeding the chickens during childhood stays with my maternal grandparents, and of the time spent on our family farm after my dad retired from the Army. I can see the baby chicks and hear them peeping under the warmth of the light of their brooding box (think that's right). But, there was always "chicken killing time" and the memory of that is not as pleasant.

But back to your poem filled with great passion for the many breeds. I can just see Pinky and Perky, Jenny, Henny-penny and the others as they strut as chickens do. But ah, how wise are Winifred and your Wyandotte who see us as we are. The chickens know what is their purpose, and how they are to behave. We humans are not as focused at times, as we don't have a clue as to what we are doing, or what we are supposed to be doing. Well, we might know but we just aren't as good as faring through the barnyard of life. And then there are those who have perfected the art of playing chicken when they should be stepping up to help others, or taking care of their "chick" instead of dodging responsibility.

Your rhyme and rhythm are perfect as always; your humor intact, and your gusto for members of the animal kingdom as enjoyable as ever!! My favorite lines are about the wife and the Rhode Island rooster - she got the boost, while he stayed on the roost! LOL

Now, I'm off to have a plate of scrambled eggs. And I refuse to believe the sky is falling! We should have better sense! LOL

[Tom]

Thank you Sheila for your wonderful and insightful review, even more appreciative as I know you are going through a difficult time, yet still you take a little time out to remember your friends here on the cafe site, admirable and stellar, but as I already know, your are a Lady of substance, a quality so lacking in modern humanity

[Sheila Kline]

Your words of kindness and understanding are so very much appreciated!! I hope to be more present here on the Cafe, and soon!

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Tom... you are not alone... We had a Japanese White angora-feathered chicken. Her Cone and feet were Turquoise instead of reddish orange. She was easy to talk to and seemed very content to be admired. She never laid an egg, but was very appreciative for a nice place to reside with lots of straw for warmth in Winter. Her name was Buck Buck and she would run up to us like a puppy dog.
We also had Rhode Island chickens with auburn red feathers. Of course they are the chickens who lay delicious brown eggs! My husband went along with my pet duck "Sweetieheart".
We got her as a tiny yellow duck. She grew quickly and when she laid her first egg on the Eve of St. Patrick's Day, it was olive Green. We saved all three green eggs and I put them in a yellow cake I baked... delicious!!! Sweetie heart loved us so much and had "feeling" that were phenomenal. Perhaps, that is why the expression, "God love a Duck". truly, Pat

[Tom]

Yes indeed Pat, you and I are both singing from the same hymn sheet, they are infectious and thank you my dear friend... chuck chuck, quack quack, you understand I know!

[Patricia Wedel]

Yes, When I lost Sweetieheart, our duck... I mourn to this day. We took her to a farm that had a pond close to their home. They had a few other ducks. She ran away and was never found. I posted flyers in the entire town and neighborhood with a photo. I know she was looking for me. It was like losing a child. truly, Pat

[Carol Cashes]

Oh. My. Goodness. To have to choose between your feathered fowl and your femme fatale...if she gave you the ultimatum, you made the right choice. A perfect little piece of profound profundity.

[Tom]

Merci merci Carol, thanks for dropping by!!

[Norman 223]

Loved the rhythm and the apparent sentimental infatuation with your "birds".
But.......
I think you are cheating here Tom. You are really telling people to come out of their shell. But I enjoyed the "yolk". Well, you did give me the right of my own decision. :-))

[Tom]

Yes Norman, you've seen through my thinly threaded apperal, make of it what you will, but I'm in awe of the chicken!!! Thank you my friend!

[Neville]

This made me chuckle, chuckle a lot. Oh' Tom, you sure as hell got some pluck, keep em coming thick & furious me duck.....

[Tom]

Ah, love it Neville, thanks my friend!

[Neville]

Jeez .............. where did the time go eh' Tom .. lovely to see you earlier mate ... hope to see you posting in the very near future ..... N :)