Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, PHEASANT IN PROFILE, by GORDON LECLAIRE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

PHEASANT IN PROFILE, by                    
First Line: Jewelled head erect, he brushed aside the fern
Last Line: Until limp feathers formed a jewelled shroud.
Subject(s): Pheasants


Jewelled head erect, he brushed aside the fern,
Breaking the strands of crystal filigree
Spiders had webbed; flanks grazed at every turn
By frond and leaf, in vivid majesty
He paused to drink the dawn's cool vial of fire,
Light splashing on his burnished wings and breast,
A feathered monarch flaunting garnet crest,
So near, I saw the pulsing of his heart
Quiver the beryl breast-plumes he would preen.
Then suddenly some instinct made him start
As if he sensed Death lurked behind the screen
Of brake. Like flame from cannon jaws he ran,
A streak of drooling color through the furze,
Gemmed pinions spreading out a spangled fan
To cleave the blue like fiery Lucifers
That limned their brilliant signet on the sky.
A shotgun thundered. Torn wings swooped to earth.
The taut flight ended as an emerald thigh
Spurted with ruby stain that smeared its girth.
Pained eyes were softened as they watched it spread,
Eyes awed and large with wisdom; but still proud,
He challenged even Death with upraised head
Until limp feathers formed a jewelled shroud.





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