Chicken Poetry

To A Chicken Finding Her Confidence

by Karol Ruth Silverstein

Sweet Pandesal, she’s brand new to the brood.

Her eyes are cast downward, her feathers tucked tight.

New coop-mates stare, cautious, though not outright rude.

With beak bowed, she fidgets and ponders her plight.

But here comes dear Flower, cluck-clucking hello.

Do un-bow your beak, Flower says with a smile.

She points with a feather, Come sister, let’s go.

We’ll find a nice spot and we’ll cluck for a while.

They share chicken stories. They purr and they trill.

The others hear laughter and come settle near.

Now everyone shares, back and forth, with good will.

We’re family, see? There’s nothing to fear.

Soon out comes the farmer, so hopeful and proud.

He greets them. He feeds them. His fine chicken crowd.