The Peacock

Today, I am posting the second poem I wrote which has to do with India. India's national bird is the peacock ( Pavo cristatus ). The male of the species is much more elegant than the female, swan-sized, with its royal blue breast and neck and its bronze-green train of more than two hundred feathers. It is an awesome sight when he extends his tail out like a fan as he does in his mating ritual, trying to impress his lady love.

The female peahen, on the other hand,is slightly smaller, and does not have the beautiful train.

The peacock is found in many areas of the Indian subcontinent. Once used for food, it is now protected by the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Under the law, tail feathers may be collected only when they have been shed.

Peacocks are associated with many religions and spiritual beliefs and are often depicted in paintings representing such. Lord Krishna's crown always has peacock feathers.

Indians credit peacocks with the ability to predict rain. When dark clouds gather overhead, the bird does, indeed, spread its train, fan-like, and begin to do a rhythmic dance.

For more detailed information, please refer to the following links below.

Resources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Peafowl

http://www.iloveindia.com/national-symbols/national-bird.html

http://www.iloveindia.com/national-symbols/national-bird.html

http://www.indianchild.com/national_anthem.htm

The Peacock

The national bird of India,
You strut with regal airs,
In terms of utter beauty,
No other one compares!

Your crown of brilliant blue,
Befits your splendid train,
Which you open to its fullest,
With a sense of great disdain.

Shimmering eyes peruse,
From the feathers of your tail,
With your train in full display,
You let out a piercing wail.

The courtship has begun,
You begin to sway and prance,
In hopes of enticing,
A peahen with your dance

Carmen Henesy

Copyright (c) 2007 by Carmen Henesy
All rights reserved.