sometimes the chicklets
take on serious issues
and when they are all together
with their guests
they tackle sad
and big things
like animal abuse
factory farming
and all the rest
they have planning meetings
afterward and work
to come up with ideas
they think will help
the world
and the beings who live on it
they are good chicklets
and are filled with
love
and
hope
Penne, Sammie and Ruth were first up. All of the poems recited were about turkeys. Everyone at The Coop, is upset at thanksgiving. So many of their friends have been lost to humans. They have been spending a great deal of time rescuing turkeys from Factory Farms but, no matter how hard they work, it’s never enough.
Penne’s poem (older chicklet)
the holiday that’s coming up
thanksgiving
that’s the one
for turkeys
if you ask them
it isn’t any fun
mass murder’s
what it’s all about
for birds
so sweet
and kind
but
everyone
just eats them
no one seems to mind
the birds
they die in terror
screaming as they go
but everyone
just eats them
no one wants to know
Sammie’s poem (young chicklet)
humans have a word they use
compassion’s what it is
but they don’t know it’s meaning
if measured by what they do
cuz if they had compassion
or understood at all
they couldn’t treat birds as they do
their hearts would break in two
Ruth’s poem (baby chicklet)
I love turkeys
they are my friends
I wish all the humans
would go away and
leave us alone
so we could be happy
free and alive
birds celebrate life
humans destroy it
I love my friends
but not humans
they’re so cruel
I asked them to help me show what society/culture does to people and what it’s like to be free, open, and creative. They got to work immediately and three of the chicklets walked into the Rubber Duck Pond to show how depressing and closed off society/culture makes everyone. They put on shades to show how it blinds people and crushes their spirits. Clarence demonstrated what it was like to be free and creative. I think they did a fantastic job and I thanked them very much. They said they hoped they got the message across and I told them that I thought they did it beautifully.
The sun is out and it’s going to be hot, so the chicklets are having a party at the Rubber Duck Pond. The Gondola is prepped and ready to take riders back and forth across the pond. Several of the chicklets have learned a bit of Italian and have promised to sing, as they move the Gondola through the water. Janice will accompany them on her accordion, and that’s always good news.
There will be group chirping, peeping and oinking, after lunch and there will be a dance later in the evening. The horses, goats and cow (there’s only one), have promised to take the bunnies on a hay ride. Everyone is very excited about that, because the bunnies are so important when it comes to healing rescued Factory Farm animals. This is a special treat for the bunnies because of their dedication to sick and wounded friends.
Devin is wearing his wet suit, but he doesn’t do well in the water. Actually, none of chicklets do well in the water, having a tendency to sink immediately. Their feathers don’t dry quickly and they look pretty messy when they do. Most of the chicklets walk, and play, along the shore and the hens drag any, who fall into the pond, out of the water before they get hurt. Lucy has a new bathing suit. Her sister and brother made it for her last night. She has a matching towel, as well. Calvin is very young and very shy. It’s his first Rubber Duck Pond party so he’s sticking close to his big brother, which is fine with him.
These parties are always happy events and the Rubber Ducks are growing in number. That’s always fun because the chicklets play guessing games and try to pick out the new Rubber Ducks before anyone else does.
The hens made plenty of cornbread and there is fresh fruit, seed cones and lots and lots of popcicles.
The hospital is almost empty, but those who are still recovering from the last raid, will be brought to the Pond, so they can enjoy the festivities.
Oh, one more thing. Melvin wrote, and illustrated, a book about the healing bunnies and he’s going to read it to them, then give each bunny his, or her, own signed copy. As I said, everyone is grateful to the bunnies for the wonderful work they do.
It’s going to be another very good day at The Coop.
Rethinking Life 
Written
on December 16, 2022