I told Meg early on,

that curious hens do not live long,

as many things eat them, and most

are smarter than a chicken.

Meg was the Hen Of Entitlement

She wandered around by herself,

explored the far corners of the pasture,

refused to live by the expectations of others,

for a chicken.

She followed Maria around like a puppy,

Walked by Frieda in the yard,

She rode on donkeys, chased off barn cats,

loved her worms.

When we came out to the barn in the morning,

she waddled at full speed to greet us, clucking

excitedly for her food. When she didn’t get any,

she complained loud and long.

Last night, she succumbed to the

oldest story in the world, the fox and the hen.

I am sorry to lose you, Meg, but I salute you,

You decided to be more than just a chicken,

and did not shrink to anyone’s expectations for you.

And were an unusual hen. So long, Meg.

(As you may have guessed, Meg didn’t make it. Foxes are smarter than chickens, for sure. Chicks arriving April 27)