Does the rooster know?

by K. R. Rose

The sun will explode
one day. But hopefully not
tomorrow, at least.

Tomorrow, at least,
the rooster will know first thing:
If he lives, we wake.

If he lives, we wake,
collect another dozen,
scatter grain, sip tea,

scatter grain, sip tea,
sit porch, watch flock—free-range birds.
O, Rhode Island reds.

O, Rhode Island reds:
you’re just too peaceful for the
sun to explode you.


K. R. Rose is an eco poet and storyteller from Boston, Massachusetts. She loves anything somewhat chicken-shaped from roosters to geese to herons. Connect with Rose at www.krrosewrites.com.