A Big Chicken go Sailing


I saw a big chicken go sailing
down a hump of serene stone
She was carrying a girl who threw a flower
to a hand reaching out for the bright blue sky

For an afternoon no one was worried
a pair of huge grey bullocks came
moving a red cart full of gold and griffins
for a small man in a dress their master

The big chicken looked over the village rooftops
She looked at the little people lining the street
staring in wonder at the feathers of flowers
She pondered how easy it was to please

It could be a mad afternoon in a dusty old bowl
It could be a hungry afternoon without any eggs
It could be another day to fidget with a gadget
Instead I saw a big chicken go sailing by

Lucignano, May 2005