Humble Hearts

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The cinnamon red rooster lost
His place in the pecking order
Of the flock where another rooster
Battled him to near death
Leaving him with one eye pecked out
And the other swollen shut
Like a boxer who had gone too many rounds
Against the superior contender

That old rooster, forlorn and isolated
From the majority of the group
Found ways to entertain himself
On barn scraps and hay bales
Awaiting the just right moment
To forage for food and go for water
When all the other birds were away
Nibbling at foliage and insects
Dissecting whatever creature
Happened into their territory
The barn, where they grazed happily
Discovering gourmet rats and worms
Little things that make chickens cluck

Months after the rooster was handicapped
By his sparring partner who ruled the roost
There came a hen, a dainty mushroom colored
Lady who had been pecked at until she was
Swollen and hurting, awaiting demise

Leaving her near the rooster
Where she might find solace from the flock
There came a day when it was clear
Her heart and his were as if only one
They shared more than the loss of eyes
To the frenzied pecking of their dangerous kin
But discovered solidarity with one another
Forming a companionship that was quite beautiful

Together, their eggs grew suitable
For precious and graceful chicks
Who would be, despite their past pain,
Healthy, happy and bustling with pride
Chicks who would find pure delight
In sharing this wounded pair’s insights

Together, they grew stronger and more alive
Than they’d ever been because they were learning
What it means to give the gift of friendship
To another who shares your life experiences
Together, these two grew wise and found solace
In cackling and clucking through life
Perfectly content to avoid the strife
That comes from giving into nasty pride
Humility is sometimes the greatest joy in life

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