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Monday 8 November 2010

Magpie Tales

This week's prompt at Magpie Tales was a splendid image of a cock's head which Blogger has steadfastly refused to reproduce!! You can of course see it if you click on the above link.

The Cock

Aristocratic
other-worldly
owning his wee bit of it -
far as eye can see -
and having taken it
for granted -
or from God.

He has called the morning
to account,
has challenged it and knows
there'll be no takers -
save the echoes of his crows.

No need to show
the rest of him -
it's there in that proud
twist of neck,
red comb
and silhouette.

15 comments:

Karen said...

You've done a fine job of capturing that "cocky" fellow!

Jim Murdoch said...

Aristocratic perhaps, but just look at that crazy eye. I'm surprised you didn't make him a mad king. The second stanza is the best. I don't think you really need the final stanza though. It doesn't add anything. In fact try putting the second stanza first, then the first and leave out the last. Gives it a better punch line.

Dave King said...

Karen
Much obliged. Ta.

Jim
I did think of making him a king - or emperor, using the crest as a crown. I'm not sure why I didn't go that road, to be truthful.

Interesting your other observation. As it stands, I was thinking that the final verse is superflous. Alongside the image it seemed to make sense.

Rachel Green said...

A splendid interpretation

izzy said...

Aristocratic in a wonderous way here-
we just had an experience of taking in a bird - that is becoming all you say! but surely is far from it now- polar opposite
in fact...On the other end of our yard is an orange fellow. so much what you have written, he is way too big in heart, for his Feathers! Thanks

CiCi said...

He owns the mornings, eh. Great writing. Roosters have a reputation to withhold.

Jinksy said...

Love the way your mind worked in this one. Calling the morning to account etc.. is sheer genius!

The Weaver of Grass said...

Nice work Dave - I think it was there even in just his crow.

Tommaso Gervasutti said...

I enjoyed in particular the almost-rhyme, better than a rhyme, of neck and silhouette.

Gerry Snape said...

I love the line.."he owns the mornings" super.

Richard Theodore Beck said...

Brings to mind D.H. Lawrence's "The Escaped Cock". Couldn't get it published under that title. The piece is better known as "The Man Who Died".

I remember a few cocky cocks
that went to the block
on Old Man Wilson's farm.
If they had run just as fast
without hatcheted heads
what would we have had for supper?

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

Conda Douglas said...

Love the last stanza, sums it up so well.

Cloudia said...

"has caled the morning to account"

Wow!




Aloha from Waikiki :)

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Windsmoke. said...

A regal looking type of fellow i must say and top cocky of the farm yard.

Dave King said...

Leatherdykeuk
Thanks.

izzy
And thanks for that. Interesting sidelight!

TechnoBabe
Memories of "Baldy" - a rooster we had when we kept chickens during the war.

Jinksy
Or cockiness?

The Weaver of Grass
It nearly always is, methinks! Thanks.

Tommaso
Thanks, that's good to know.

Gerry
Useful feedback. Thanks.

Theodore Daniel Richards
Hi and welcome to the blog.
I didn't knw about the original title. Interesting.
I'm rather glad you didn't resist.

Conda
That's pleasing to hear. Thanks.

Cloudia
I was reaching there!

Windsmoke
A cock-a-hoop type of guy.