Goldie

Goldie, the hen who thinks she is a dog,

takes no notice of the checkered rooster,

scratches her hidden ear

with a stiff tripod foot.

Cartilaginous corona jiggles stiffly,

necorations gleam,

russet and cream feathers in  overlapping mermaid scales.

She’d rather follow the children.

No fence can hold her,

Isaac can.

He tucks the solid ruddy bird

under a small sturdy arm

and continues down the garden path.

The rooster stretches his neck

and kicks dust

to impress the rest of the ladies.

May 2010