ODE TO HUCKLEBERRY
May 10, 2025 | McAvoy Lane
Allow me to introduce my pet jay, “Huckleberry,”
Who believes he is a Missionary…
Born in 2017 on the deck here at Layne Haven,
He has always believed he is part Raven,
And Lo! he’s even fond of quoting Poe!
When Huckleberry and three siblings were ready to fledge,
I spread a sleeping bag beneath their tall ledge,
Hitting the bag for Huck was a towering win,
while his sisters took it on the chin…
I remember Huck looking up as if to say,
“Wow, thanks!” And we are pals to this day…
He comes by at Happy Hour when I whistle,
“Don’t Get Around Much Anymore.”
I give him a Beer Nut, and he says, (you guessed it)
“Nevermore!”
Once he has his Happy Hour Beer Nut,
Huck thinks he’s King Tut,
Throws himself a touchdown dance,
Spikes that Beer Nut and tosses me a grateful glance…
Huckleberry faked his own death once to get my attention.
Feet up, wings out, a sight that needs no further mention,
I shouted, “Huckleberry!” and he jumped up as if to say,
“Hey pal, just in time, got any Beer Nuts for a poor jay?”