Hi, Readers and Bloggers…
Because I just got back from vacation and have a few pressing things on my to do list, I decided to publish a poem from my creative writing course archive.  I will return to post a more current entry to my blog in a day or so.        – Jennifer

Birds of a Feather

Why are they afraid
of being individuals?
look at them, not unlike
a brood of chickens
scratching and pecking
at the outsider
feeling safe and unthreatened
in their numbers,
only trusting
the familiar.

The old hens cluck
their tongues, wagging their fingers
in unison, then
turn to preen themselves
once again.
The cocky roosters strut,
look to each other for support
as they begin to crow, then
look to their feet of clay
for lack of anything
more original.

They shun me,
for I have chosen to
stand apart
to sing my own song
no longer content to huddle as
a nonentity among the flock.
I have sprung the cage open
and flown free
lonely at times, but released
as only an individual can be,
never looking back.