Pukeko, swamp hen
unescorted
is wearing junior navy
a pillarbox beak
burnt orange casual claws.
If a shadow violates
will spear the dark
the damp lonely dark swamp
with hatpin scream
- Cree Cree!
Advice to small children
Pukeko is a New Zealand rail
That's mostly black and flicks its tail
Survives quite well inspite of man
Though other creatures no longer can
She seems to walk with utter ease
Across the swamp and through the trees
She makes her nest on weeds and bog
And sometimes underneath a log
Her lengthy toes are reason why
She doen't sink and keeps so dry
If weeds give way she doesn't care
She flaps her wings and takes to air
She's tough and shy and rarely harmed
But shrieks and shrieks when she's alarmed
She'll pluck your plants from garden plot
And runs the risk of being shot
If you would like one as a pet
You'll not avoid the cold and wet
If wading swamps to see her eggs
You'll need to have much longer legs
