Bird 8 - An Encounter With A Majestic Peacock Poem by Geeta Radhakrishna Menon

As I walked along the lakeside,
A sunny, humid evening,
With no brilliant thoughts or motive,
I suddenly brightened up with
A wonderful sight!
I could not believe my eyes, when
I spotted a beautiful peacock just a few yards away.
What a spectacular vision!

For a while, I stood still like a statue
Watching the peacock with awe!
I was afraid that a slightest movement or noise
Might disturb the handsome bird!
But to my utter surprise he seemed not bothered at all.
I began slowly walking towards the bird. To my wonder,
The bird walked towards me with graceful darts,
Step by step, like a regal emperor walking down his throne!

Bold and enchanting, he stood like a ballet artiste,
With his violet head raised, sporting colorful plumes,
His long silky feathers, folded together like a thick curtain,
Painted with the brightest hues which he carried with poise!
He stared at me for a while with extraordinary composure,
While I stared back, with wide eyes, in great wonder!
The moment was mesmerising!
My joy knew no bounds!

I could not believe that I was so near the bird
And that the bird was not frightened of me at all.
The peacock could have easily taken to his heels
But for some reason, was undisturbed and calm.
Suddenly, a group of people turned up with much noise,
The majestic peacock sensed an alarm,
Stretched up her blue throat with a jerk, then swiftly,
Skipped, hopped and jumped up the fence, next to the forest!

And then, to my utter delight, the peacock flew up the tree,
Sat on a spacious branch with his feathers hanging down in splendour!
I sat down too, on the park bench, continuing to watch the peacock.
The bird was no more, so near, yet, not so far away, either.
As the evening turned to dusk, I reluctantly walked back home,
Looking back, again and again, at this wonderful bird!
A memorable evening that shall remain etched in my memory,
A starred day of an unbelievable, unpredicted visual joy!