NaPoWriMo
2024, April 10 Prompt
Young Pheasants Ashamed of Their Dowdy Old Mother
Used to be I could hardly shake ‘em off.
Thought they’d stay in the nest forever.
Nowadays ther shamed of bein seen with me.
Sometimes they even run when they see me a comin.
Never know they were hatched by such an ordinary hen as yours truly.
Good enough for them whens they want somethin though.
Other day I thought maybe it’s the way I call so I tried
out one of their twangs. Shoulda seen the smirks.
‘Nother day I had a go at their newfangled preenin
routine and I never seen pheasant eyes roll like that.
Can’t help but get paranoid neither. Every time they
gather round some worms in a circle like that
I’m sure they complainin bout their dowdy old ma hen.
Thing is I miss ‘em something fierce.
Odd time they throw me a bone,
make me feel they still want a relationship
with me so’s I get excited and they sees it
and that’s the end o’ that for today please
and thank y’all.
Worst part is that the rooster, Ole Jack,
seems to fit in just fine. Doesn’t do nothin
for them but can’t do no wrong.
Struts about like he’s all that and a bag o’ bugs
and they lap it up like he is some kinda
pheasant king. My ma always
said you don’t get no credit round here.