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Homage To The Turkey (Second Try) ....[Birds; American History]

I sent off as suggested, my first effort to my Italian friend Carmi.
She read it and then requested something 'lower key'; to me that's Irish blarney!
I had mentioned, first time, Ben Franklin's affection for The Turkey; she thought THAT was nice.
I didn't mind naming Ben the first time around; this will make it twice.

Ben was famous as a diplomat when America was newly 'free'.
He was also an inventor I believe. I think once he used a 'lower key'
while performing an experiment with lightning, Nature's electricity.
It involved using a kite, and a kite string on which was tied a key ('lower'?) .
But back to Turkey: Ben thought the native Turkey to be noble as could be.
Despite Ben's efforts, the Bald Eagle, instead, was picked as a symbol of 'The Land of The Free'.

I must admit I admire and enjoy seeing both birds I did now name,
but the Eagle's pictured on money and well protected, while the Turkey's wild game.
Turkeys can be quite majestic when they strut about, their feathers ruffled and spread,
but unlike the soaring Eagle, in turkey season a hunter may shoot a turkey dead.

Death would not be my preference for either of these noble birds. I wonder now
if Carmi is reading and enjoying at least some of my words.

I helped New York Conservation Department return Turkeys to my home state.
That was near Ithaca, where in the 1960's, no turkey had been seen of late.
I guess the effort worked. In late years I saw turkeys; Toms and at times a hen.
They probably emigrated from Pennsylvania, to the south, the state of dear old Ben.

I've never heard an eagle cry, but to hear a Turkey gobble from woods is thrilling.
Carmi I would have voted for The Turkey. Alas! The Eagle got top billing.

(Nov.2012)

poem by Bri Edwards
Added by Poetry Lover
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