A Turkey's Lament

A Turkey's Lament

Ah, distinctly I remember-

It was only last November

That they chased me through the back yard

And across the old barn floor!

Valiantly and well I fought me

Till at last the villains caught me

And proceeded then to trot me

To the ax beside the door;

But, ashamed, they let me go, for

I was bones and nothing more

Skin and bones and nothing more.

Now, I see it is December,

And no doubt they will dismember Me, for all my fatter friends

Have gone to that other shore;

I've grown pale from apprehension,

For of late some marked attention

Makes me think it's their intention

To cut off my legs and serve me

As a reed bird from the store-

Just a reedbird, nothing more!

-Chicago Inter Ocean