First Poem in Austin

The neighbor's rooster
        hootles and crows,
        and it is nearly noon.
Fancy that! A rooster!
        in this day and age,
        in this urban suburban place!
I cannot help but wonder if
        he got the bird
        just so he could say
To his less fortunate friends,
        over beers
        (and leers):
"Just look at my indomitable cock!"


(AJ 11/08)