As known animal lovers, Em and I seem perpetually bombarded by new additions to our clan, from fallen fledglings to injured turtles, lost cats to a squirrel with a concussion...thus the name of our latest homestead, "Unintentional Farm"...

Early, early
much too early
in the morning
at least, the clock now says AM
but it's dark out
very dark out
too damn early
Velvet's calling.
Velvet's calling, country morning
two AM, the clock now says
Does he want breakfast? Is it a warning-
that the sun shall soon be rising
in FOUR more hours or so?
Bury my head in pillows.

Early, early
a little later
almost dawn
little toddler's wide awake now
latest critter that we care for
baby squirrel needs her milk now
crawl up my arm
crawl through my hair
void on skin and clothing
Thank you.
Too cute to scold--I must go scrub now.
Thanks.

My turn now.
I bare my ass to the turkeys who like to see this spectacle.
Peeping toms.
Toilet too close beside a low window
Put drapes on the long list of things to buy sometime.

"Good morning,"
says the macaw cheerfully.
"Hey, chicken," I grunt back.
"Hey, chickie, want some?"
he says, wanting breakfast.
"Want some? Want some? Kiss, kiss. Hot!"
"Yes, chicken," I say.
"Thank," he tells me, then to his food, "Good-bye!"
"That's thank YOU," I remind him.
"Oh, shit!" he says happily, throwing most of his food on the floor.

Now the Quakers are screeching.
They see me every day.
But they still sound warning
"Warning! Intruder! Warning! Intruder!"
Every day I bring them food and water and even little treats.
"Intruder! Intruder!" If they had weapons,
I think they'd shoot me.

Grain, grain, grain from an old
fake-butter tub.
Ooohhh, nothing better to the chickens, the Bob Whites, the Guineas, the turkeys!
Dumplin' follows me on my rounds, begging for food-
though she'll eat anything.
Dumpster.
The turkeys are curious and stay close
but not too close
The Guineas get first pick--the smallest birds, they are in charge
only 'cause the Bob Whites are kept penned.
Little Bob in charge of his harem-
see how he thrusts his tiny chest out toward
the towering turkey tom
Comical, gentle, friendly creatures
keeping big-toe-sized cockroaches and termites at bay.

Then there's Pickpocket
tiny little cat
itty bitty kitty
Queen of the backyard-
queen of her world
The Queen requests fresh newspaper,
9-Lives, and water
Oh, and if you don't mind, please worship me.
Worship me, worship me.
Is that asking too much?
Just feed me, remove my poo-poo, and worship me.
That's all.

That's never the end of it.
The day's just begun.
Which day?
Every day?
And you never know who we may have visiting-
raccoon
opossum
raptor
woodmouse
turtle
tortoise
songbird
woodpecker
bear
black racer
big bullfrog
poisonous toad...
No, you never know who's been brought to visit
our busy and wonderful place
Sometimes they go home, sometimes they linger
But always, they bring a smile to my face.