Scruffy the Bantam

Scruffy the Bantam by Robert (Bob) Moore © 2015 Grey Mare Lane Markets, was a place I used to like I used to go there Saturdays, riding on my bike Down Mount Road, then Hyde Road, then down Pottery Lane Told my Mam a snake I’d buy, she’d say “then don’t come home again” I ended up with day old chicks, a couple for 5 bob I used to think they’d give me eggs, and I’d be like Old Lob but they would not even last the day, before the poor things passed away so next week I will buy some more, telling Mam I’d “buy a snake” as I ran out the door. One day I got a fighter, who made it through the day, a real bantam rooster, who decided he would stay, he lived just down the garden, in my dad’s little shed I always called him Scruffy, ‘cause of the black mark on his head He was afraid of nothing, not dogs or cats or me, and I always threatened him, one day you’ll be my tea, then he was gone, I don’t know where, I guess I never will I like to think he chased a cat, and is trying to catch it still