The crack of dawn

was almost gone

when Early Bird appeared,

his tardy start

was due in part

to swilling too much beer,

at last night’s keg

with hollow leg

he siphoned quarts of lager,

like a spigot

the crafty egret

employed it as an auger,

incited by

that Owl Guy

patrolling skies at night,

the Early Dude

was in no mood

to make the card’nal flight,

That’s why he chose

to fly with crows

The dreaded clock to cheat,

a pity that

those raven chaps

were flying out to eat

—humble pie

created by

their brethren in the kitchen,

leaving Early

feeling surly

for grabbing bait & switch—

and though he ate

from crow-filled plate

and to his duty quickened,

dawn broke through

to Doodle Do

cawed by cocky chicken.

©Karen Robiscoe