My Neighbor’s Hens

My neighbor’s hens across the way

     Have great regard for me;

They come to see me every day,

     As soon as they can see.

They have a liking for my ground,

     There is no doubt of that;

Where seeds and juicy worms abound

     They have it right down pat.

I lay out beds all in a row

     And put in seeds a lot;

I make it true and even so

     ‘Twill be a charming spot.

My neighbor’s hens take note of this,

     And scratch and wallow round,

And take an unalloyed bliss

     In scratching up my ground.

I like to give my neighbor’s hens

     Such joy as that each day

‘Twould be a cruel deed in pens

     To make those biddies stay.

My neighbor hasn’t thanked me yet,

     Although I’m sure he kens,

But still I know he’ll not forget

     My kindness to his hens.

March 3, ‘05