COCK OF THE WALK
Proud Chanticleer,
golden feathers, scarlet crown,
crowing on top
of the dung heap,
is cock of the walk.
In the yard below, Pertelot
preens glamorous feathers,
Chanticleer's bent gaze,
glutting itself
upon the promise of her beauty,
fails to comprehend
other iridescent feathers
enlivened only by passing breezes -
the wilted combs,
pale, silent beaks protruding
from the trash heap
he commands.
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