by Julia Griffin

“Chickens were first tempted down from trees by rice, research suggests”
—The Guardian

They might have had millet,
Or barley, or peas;
They stuck to their billet:
The trees.

When hearing of farro
Or buckwheat, or corn,
Their eyes went quite narrow
With scorn.

They vowed to adhere to
Arboreal fare;
Their tempters were near to
Despair,

Till one, worth renown, in-
Troduced them to RICE:
And then they flew down in
A trice,

Suggesting this motto
Or rule for your thumb:
Make chicken risotto!
They’ll come.