In the cold blue haze of a January day A peacock parades beneath my window -- A symphony of color. No rare orchid can boast such wealth of hues Yet, this vivid bird honored by the Gods Has no note of music; Nor does he render the world A single deed of service -- For what was he fashioned? Once a girl came beneath my window Her golden curls and sky blue eyes Laughed up at me. The color of the rose was in her cheek -- Love was in my heart, I stifled it -- For what was she fashioned? She gave nothing to the world -- She possessed no talents! She went away. Since then my life has been grey Like the cold blue haze of a January day. The peacock has gone -- Only dead weeds are beneath my window. O peacock, did the Gods fashion you for a decoration To let beauty walk in the midst of ugly dying weeds; In the cold blue haze of a January day? | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...HEALALL by WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS THE NIGHT MAIL NORTH (EUSTON SQUARE, 1840) by HENRY CHOLMONDELEY-PENNELL TO STATECRAFT EMBALMED by MARIANNE MOORE TRAMP, TRAMP, TRAMP by GEORGE FREDERICK ROOT SONNET: 55 by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE HOLYHEAD, SEPTEMBER 25, 1727 by JONATHAN SWIFT AGAINST INDIFFERENCE by CHARLES WEBBE |