walking jeweled beauty
feathers spread wide like headband
tourist in awe
The rest of us
could never compete
Roosters strut
sadly behind
with unnoticed
orange hackles
Pheasants scratch
at the dirt
He ruins rainbows
with feathered ego
and metallic iridescence
We all guffaw
because we don’t know
what to do
Turquoise plumage
always wins
Peacock Santa sauntered in as if she owned the square
We were not amused, we were frightened said my cousin Jer
We had heard of her, her reputation is not so nice
She demanded coffee, and a pepperoni pizza slice
This did not sound right, I thought he was fabricating.
Whether or not it was a lie his sister and I were debating
But Jer kept on going, making Peacock Santa sound incredibly bad.
I think he is lying again whispered my cousin Chad.
a peacock spreads wings
looks like a rainbow arching~
and I stay in awe
its plumes sway in wind
jewels of green and sapphire~
a crown in the glade
peacock in still light~
a breath of hidden heaven
folded in his wings
still as sacred breath,
he opens a jeweled silence~
colors like prayer
Girl with Peacock Feather Eyes
gentle upward tilt that cries
You come to me at night
unaware of my plight
Regality in every look you sigh
my peacock-feathered girl
Lashes that ensnare
A courtship call laid bare
Come forth, Ceylon's pearl
become my peacock-feathered girl
Imagination comes undone
You corner me, defenceless with those eyes
The royal Mughal halls would not compare
to my mirror in which you stare
You are moonlight to my thoughts. Untether me, my dear
These peacock-feathered eyes will keep me here.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
At dawn, the peacock unfolds his ocellated fan~
a tail with a thousand spots blinking open,
each iris a universe spun
from sapphire and jade.
He’s a venerable avian creature
who once danced on temple steps
where Krishna’s flute still trills,
and Saraswati’s forgotten wisdom
clings to his quills.
Christians once buried mosaics
with his likeness, a thousand eyes
staring up from catacomb walls,
each plume a scripture~a symbolic
promise of resurrection:
this body is not the end.
I watch him parade through
dawn’s sunlight, untouched,
his peacock’s tail
dragging stars behind him
like a bridal veil.
You may read the related memoir vignette at: poetrysoup.com/short_stories/summer_of_the_peacock_13620
peacock butterfly
gathering precious nectar
~ suburban gardens
AP: Honorable Mention 2026
A peacock who is grounded as he flies,
will freely psychedelicize.
Take notice as you stare.
Slowly become aware.
His tail is a hundred eyes.
glistening colors
lovely blues and azure greens
peahen is jealous
Flattery will get you everywhere
You can buy justice it’s for sale
DEI now has a red cap for flair
No need for degree from Yale
You can try to erase history
demanding a page preserved
Replacing fact science lobotomy
White washing learning disturbed
Changing the rules being cruel
New way of pushing agenda
Defunding schools hiring fools
Send troops if they won’t surrender
To the dumbing down around
In every leadership role
Ignorance preferred proud peacock now
Selling your soul for gold
No one is above God’s law
Our money is not enough
Censorship blocks our talk
Here free speech once was
Every Empire not of the Lord
Falls at a loss history ignored
God forgive me for being opinionated
For not all of us are fuchsia infactuated
With that young peacock preacher
Watch him puff up proud to lead her
To her denim despair
From the pulpit to satin’s pit
You see they had a ten year affair
Wow look at his ego glow
Neon on ions of black pride
She did a Facebook post
A tell all and then she cried
But her photos although damning
Were like spamming
The church will forgive him
But not her
He is a habitual fornicator
A loose lip ladies leech
Instead of removing him
They will only lift him up
And pray he keeps his gift of prophecy
Despite the hypocrisy
The money keeps flowing
Congregation keeps growing
Flashing feathers encased in tinged long train,
shining stretched fan shakes excited in rain.
Art of bright eyespots dyed,
avian display of pride.
Grandeur of peacock’s grand brilliance doesn’t wane.
Prancing peacock
Taking in the sunshine of dawn,
Prancing peacock
Calling its mate by its honk-squawk,
Its plush plumage makes you look on,
You gaze at it with breath indrawn,
Prancing peacock.
Prince Pastoral Peacock it must be our lucky day
Elect to spread your plumage erect a fine display
Pivot proudly a tailpiece of fancy feathers fanning
A crest of blue-green eyes omniscient panning
And to watch you step with such cadence
Pleased to make your regal acquaintance
Leucistic yellow morphs pale palettes like Lady Peahen
It’s what you ladies are called if you’re a peacock hen
Pearlescent white wisps a breathtaking bride’s gown
Feathered fur flow accessory accents a diamond crown
Blushingbrides tail in tow, did you pack a bridal trousseau?
Parade before your castle please and I shall bow if so
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