Like A The Tree-Toed Demon Poem by Gert Strydom

(after Johan Johl)

With his first crow
he announces the morning
watching he is searching
for the first rays of light
with a tense body and feathers spread out.

When the sun rises bright and radiant
it splashes over his neck and body
and right there he becomes cocky,
is ready to fight

like a tree toed devil,
to avert anyone with kicks from his hens
as if the sun has contaminated his head
while he has a view
of the white flaming ball in his eye
and he crows again,
pulls himself erect
where he stands hot in the morning,
as a cheeky cock

In the afternoon he walks boldly
up and down the yard,
pecks here and there
even scratches in the dust
which blows in the wind
before he spreads his wings
to catch the heat of the sun in them
and he leaves his tracks everywhere,
is ready with his striking and treading kick
for them that he does despise
while he waits on dusk
and crows loudly again
orders anyone to stay out of his yard.

[Reference: "Hanepoot op die middaguur" (Cock's paw during the afternoon hour) by Johann Johl.]