We whirled around like flakes in a snow globe.
Dad weaving miracles, keeping us un-cold.
5 peeps living under a sway-backed roof.
In a one-bedroom converted chicken coop.
Feathered tenants must've thought it a mansion.
Dad and Mom must've thought it a land-based Titanic.
Uncle Barnacle must've thought it a great place to crash.
Brother and I were just 2 gumdrops adrift in Candyland.
There're just two of us chicken coop people left.
We never chat about our chicken coop past.
I thank Rooster for busting his beak, keeping us fed.
And a hen who panned love from lean times and trash.
He prances around so proud like he owns the coop
He'd feed the hens but can't manoeuver the scoop
AP: Honorable Mention 2026
The McCormick’s chicken gatherer and feeder was only six-years-young
She was awakened daily at four-twenty, which was absolutely no fun.
But it was her duty to gather the eggs from the chicken house.
Sometimes when she entered there would dart out a mouse.
Once there was evidence of a fox in the midst of the flock.
One hen did not fare well, her head lying as if on a chopping block.
Worst of all, one day, the chicken house was in a dire way.
What is wrong, Lucille? asked mother. The chicken coop is on fire today.
Hula Hoop and Chicken Coop
had a hula hoop
we were thrown for a big loop
cruddy chicken coup
In the Chicken Coop
4/23/2015
In the chicken coop in our side yard
When I was just a child
My siblings taught me how to cuss
It drove my mother wild
We went into the Chicken house
And climbed upon the perch
Then said some words you never heard
On Sunday while in church
We said them way too loudly
Just laughing all the while
What happened next you'll never guess
It did not make us smile
My mother yelled come in the house
For dessert we had some hope
We went in hoping for the best
Got our mouths washed out with soap
The lesson learned for me that day
Here and now I have to tell
If your mother calls when cussing
Be smart and run like hell
country road
honeysuckle smell floating
on chicken coop breeze
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