In various hutches pods and cages

her poultry world

a commitment based on egg production

in the scuffling shuffling universe

of confined resentment and sensed rages. 

 

Opening her arms feathers fly out,

a confetti confession of love

oblivious to smell of ordure, urine

while her daughter follows in hot pursuit

 

naming not blaming the curious rats

racing and chasing her rabbit for fun

in a harness to stop it running away

which it would if it could,

all endured in a world of thistles and brambles,

a spiky existence in denial of neighbours

and in fear of the big bad fox.