My Hen ~ by Alice Hafen

I have a brown old hen

She is the slyest one

I hear her cackle every day

I know she's laying some.

This goes on for many days.

I can never find the nest.

But I know when she stops cackling

That she has done her best.

Then one morning early

As I go out to weed

What do I spy but my old hen

with twelve baby chicks to feed.

The cats think what a treat

Those little chicks would be

But that old hen just ruffles up and

pecks them fiercefully

Now the cats know she's the boss

and they'll just wait silent and bluff

and think that when she's not watching

They'll have those little balls of fluff.

But that old hen is wiser.

And no matter what happens 

That old hen is there

in stalwart and proper fashion.

It is fun to watch that little old hen

As she clucks, calls and scratches for food.

For those little chicks are her pride and joy.

No one must ever intrude.

When the chicks are fed

And its time for them to rest 

She proudly puffs her feathers

And they all crowd into her nest.

Now when those chicks are older

Mama hen has a right big fit

As she tries to cover them all

With one great big sit.