4 Must-Read Poems about Chickens

Poems about chickens are certainly not the most commonly written examples of verse in the history of verse. But, there are a few notable examples that readers can explore.

These poems usually feature chickens are a symbol of something else, whether that be wilderness, farming, or a landscape more broadly. Chicken poems might also explore chickens as food and a means of sustenance in specific situations. Readers should be surprised to find poetry in which the poet describes both taking care of and cooking/eating chicken.

Poems about Chickens Visual Representation

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London is Full of Chickens on Electric Spits

by Peter Porter

‘London is Full of Chickens on Electric Spits’ by Peter Porter compares the way chickens are treated to conditions in Auschwitz.

In this poem, the poet focuses on chickens. They are not often looked at with this level of empathy as the poet attempts to explain how they think the chickens feel about what happens to them. The poet sees this as a terrible situation and gives the chickens a voice to tell the reader what they think of anyone who eats poultry. They are clearly unhappy about what happens.

London is full of chickens on electric spits,

Cooking in windows where the public pass.

This, say the chickens, is their Auschwitz,

And all poultry eaters are psychopaths.

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Eating Fried Chicken

by Linh Dinh

‘Eating Fried Chicken’ employs an unexpected experience as a way to explore privilege and injustice. It examines questions of guilt and morality through the lens of food availability.

In the poem, 'Eating Fried Chicken', the act of consuming the food forces the narrator to contemplate their own privilege and, it seems, makes them feel guilty about it. Fried chicken is common in many countries but has a particular association with the United States of America. The poet therefore reflects on the nature of colonialism, imperialism and culture, even as they claim they do not consider these factors while eating chicken.

I hate to admit this, brother, but there are times

When I’m eating fried chicken

When I think about nothing else but eating fried chicken,

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Sonnet 143

by William Shakespeare

‘Sonnet 143,’ also known as ‘Lo, as a careful housewife runs to catch,’ uses a simile to depict the speaker’s feelings for the Dark Lady. He is described as a crying infant desperate for his mother’s return.

Chickens feature prominently in this sonnet and functions as a symbol for something with draws the attention of Shakespeare's iconic Dark Lady away from the speaker, who is often presumed to be Shakespeare himself. The erratic and energetic behaviour of the birds is intended to contrast with the speaker who believes they would be a more fulfilling companion for the Dark Lady.

Lo, as a careful housewife runs to catch

One of her feathered creatures broke away,

Sets down her babe, and makes all swift dispatch

In pursuit of the thing she would have stay;

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We Should Make a Documentary About Spades

by Terrance Hayes

‘We Should Make a Documentary About Spades’ is written by contemporary American poet Terrance Hayes. This imaginary piece explores the theme of racism and implicitly comments on the history of Spades.

The narrator lists fried chicken indiscriminately on a list of things they need for their evening to progress. The lack of specific attention paid to the food implies that any form of sustenance would have just as easily sufficed.

And here is all we’ll need: a card deck, quartets of sun people

Of the sort found in black college dormitories, some vintage

Music, indiscriminate spirits, fried chicken, some paper,

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4 Must-Read Poems about Chickens

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4 Must-Read Poems about Chickens

London is Full of Chickens on Electric Spits

by Peter Porter

Eating Fried Chicken

by Linh Dinh

Sonnet 143

by William Shakespeare

We Should Make a Documentary About Spades

by Terrance Hayes

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