The Dralles had a cuckoo clock
it could be heard well down the block.
One day the door stayed open longer
and being young the bird felt stronger
than anything around the place.

So he eloped, and just in case
that humans with their crazy habits
came after him like silly rabbits
he armed himself with one big weight
and off he flew, now tempting fate.

The lady of the house came running
and saw the bird with his two cunning
and forest-trained but droopy eyes
for her it was a great surprise,
she called her hubby from the cellar
in came the man, a pudgy feller.

They chased the bird with tennis rackets
and threw a pillow, then two jackets,
yet nothing trapped the small Houdini,
so Hans sat down to a Martini.
The bird, relaxed, but also tired
and, truly, not the least admired
was hovering above the drink
when slowly he began to sink.

The weight which he had for protection
had been a rather poor selection,
as you may know, a cuckoo bird
can fly, but only say one word.
And so it is, when sudden fate
snuffs out a life due to the weight.

Herbert Nehrlich

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/cuckoo-bird/