Student Publishing Program ::

Jennifer Hsu

Three

It began with three
One white
One yellow
One black
I watched them grow
Inside a cardboard box
With newspaper underneath
Masked by droppings
Before I could lay a new sheet down
Everything changed when

There were only two
One yellow
One black
Wandering through my garden
In the shade of the hydrangea bushes
Sifting through the mulch for that savory worm
It was not the same
When I returned later that day because

Just one remained
One black
I made certain it was protected
Like a cat guarding its kittens
Lying on the grass
I stroked it for hours on end
While it perched upon my arm

I gave it to my friend
Who promised to take care of it
She returned in six days
With a handful of black feathers

And that is all I have left
Of my three pet chickens

[TABLE OF CONTENTS, LHS CLASS OF 2010 EDITION]