Ode to a Paralyzed Chicken


chicken sitting in a cradle

Arriving to your new home in a cardboard box
A woman on wheels welcoming something to care for
Surrounded by your sisters all looking the same, but not you
You, adventurous chicken, had to stand out
A jump out of the box, ceramic impact on tiny fragile bones
a new life of paralysis

How lucky you are baby chicken that I know what it’s like
I know when you close your eyes you’re in pain
I see how frustrating it is to try and move and go nowhere
I understand sitting in your own shit is no fun
I get you can’t play with your sisters but still you want to be near all the action
I will give you the best chicken life

Little bird, do you know x-rays and pain meds and vet bills were worth it?
Hand-made slings, swings and walkers
Your own personal physical therapist, a graduate of chicken anatomy from Google
Hydration and feeding in between Zoom calls
Social visits with the Silkie sisters
Your first time on grass and learning to forage

Pollita it was an honor to care for you
Is this a bit like my mother felt when I was so small
and broken?
Helping you was not a burden but a joy
Is it possible that I too can be joy

Resilient modern-day dinosaur, you were here
You were broken but never worthless
You belong to a kingdom where wheels and splints are pillars of power
Where we move our own way and it’s beautiful
Where our ancestors fought and we fight to claim our existence
Where one day our castles will have access and we can live as kings and queens if we chose

*Megan The Chicken lived from March-June 2021


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Jennifer La Civita
Jennifer La Civita
2 years ago

This is a beautiful ode to a lovely Chicken ♥️♥️♥️😂