Ducks unlimited!

There was a time some ways back,

Among the woods and trees,

Would of time lose track,

And wander as I please

Here and there would make a stop

My little birdies feed,

But now more like a traffic cop,

Who first, and last to feed,

Once in a while, my friends the ravens treat,

I have progressed, it seems,

For now they fly with added speed,

Their fellow spy a signal beams,

Just barely leave my house,

I hear him crying caw,

Make sure his friends arouse,

That leaving, he me saw,

And when I cross the bay,

His friends all wait for me,

My walking would delay,

Collect their daily fee,

I know you think, this is quite odd,

Protection money I do pay,

Gave it a lot of thought,

Keep my little birds from prey.

When the little ones I feed,

The hawk in wait it lay,

Them he wants to eat,

His mind, my ravens sway,

But blackmail now the ravens use,

From hence it got the name,

My donations to abuse,

Upped the ante, in the game,

Demanding more, and more,

Eat all the grain I leaves,

On my weakness, tries to score,

Like a bunch of thieves

Pounds of meat I slug,

That was the bargain made,

But I guess I’m out of luck,

They run another slate,

Not to be outdone, the ducks that down the road,

In freezing waters keep their feet,

Their natural abode,

They too, now want to eat,

Kind-hearted as I am,

And sorry in the head,

From me some grain did spam,

Flew at me, down from wet,

First one, or two, would dare come near,

Then many more would come,

Now fifty lost their fear,

For they know I’m dumb,

For sure they have the smarts, not me,

Lay themselves afore my feet,

Not readily could flee,

First I thought that was quite sweet,

But now I’m burdened playing games,

I first not entertained,

Eat from my hand, as if their tame,

As I were some saint,

St. Francis would be proud of me,

The birds his favourite breed,

Dispensed his favours free,

And gave them all to eat,

They the ducks don’t care,

Can hold them close,

As long the food I share,

In ever larger dose,

They follow me; they fly, or waddle,

Somehow they’re out in front,

Close to my feet they cuddle,

Their message is quite blunt,

To get away now, have to run,

Full speed ahead, and hope,

They feel it not much fun,

To fat with efforts cope,

Between the squirrels, ravens, ducks, and geese,

Tons of food now toad,

In innocence my chickadees to please,

This is a heavy load,

This is not wilderness no more,

It has become a zoo,

Soon I’ll have to bring the store,

To them till spring stay true ,

My pension cheque is running low,

I’ll have to start a fund,

More feed to them can throw,

Their appetites to stunt,

You think this funny? So do I,

I have myself to blame,

This is the truth, and not some lie,

Hunger has no shame,

Their hunger in their stomachs lay,

My hunger in the soul,

Some kindness to display,

Be my true and only goal.

12/02/2008