CHICKEN MAN

He set up shop
road-side of Harden
and of it makes
a colorful garden

splashes of red
and yellow and blue
his subject chickens
of every hue

smiling he talks
about his trade
of his paintings
that bring him
financial aid

to care for his sons
he loves so dear
he talks about them
to all who will hear

you spend some time
with the chicken man
look at his art
stashed away
in his van

or strewn all around
on cardboard siding
you'll spot some treasure
amongst them hiding

chicken man laughs
wiping sweat from his brow
and you wonder why
or when or how

a man such as he
could appear to be
so real, so warm
and joyously free