So Long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Good-Bye

An Ode to Pip



You trusted me,
You made me laugh,
You've never had to have a bath.

Your cap of feathers, once long and flowing,
Due to the ladies is no longer growing.

Your scalp now like a monk's tonsure,
all round and shiny and bare,

Still acting like the stud o' the coop,
You crow and cluck without a care.

Frequent tussles in the barnyard,
Wounds to you now do appear,

The days I've had to clean you up
Caused me to feel great fear.

You think your dominance should prevail
Over the bigger, badder Roopert.
He gets mad, you won't back down,
Each time finds you in the dirt.

Cull is such an ugly word,
I push it from my mind,
Instead, a happy, safe, new world
For you I shall now find.

A friend from Blogland offers
These kind words to me:
"Give him to my mom!" she says,
So I decide to see.

Turns out a flock is roosterless
And needs a new guy - stat,
A chance for you has opened, Pip,
Now's your time, you're up to bat.

So down the freeway we travel,
Just you and me and Rox,


I never foresaw I'd be doing a roadtrip
With a rooster in a box.

With 14 hens to call your own,
Protect them with great care,
Never need you worry again
What Roo might be offended by your hair.

So, Mr. Pip, go forth, be happy,
You've been a good boy for me,
It won't be the same without you here
Although Jim will surely disagree.

Pip and Danni:

Pip's wonderful new mom, Verna:

Pip, this afternoon, at his new home, being introduced to his flock of fourteen: