WILLIE SPECKLED HEN

A POEM by: Fernando de mello Pimentel

I wake up every afternoon around 5 pm,
not really knowing who I am
Those night-shifts at the blue river dam,
with just cold coffee and canned spam,
were never part of my original plan

I used to be West High's wrestling champ
Can you believe I was once their main Man,
distributing autographs to all those euphoric fans?
But this took place way-way back then

Today, I get by thanks to my buddy Stan
He got me the roadie job for his grass-roots band
With the extra cash, I'll get my own liquor stand
It'll be a bargain. Maybe two or three grand

Perhaps then I'll win the heart of my gal Fran
She never really thought much of this poor man
Oh my sweet Lord! Here I go again
Throwing myself once more into the garbage can

When will I quit this nuisance and make a stand?
I don't have to put up with modest, cheap brands
or live off charity or even government amends
And I'm no bum or underdog either, ma friend

So listen to me carefully, you foolish old men
I'm a countryman. From the mountains I descend.
And I won't lower my head or obey your demands
For I am the Great Willie Speckled Hen
Will I have to repeat it, or do you comprehend?

All Rights Reserved - 2008 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.