Solar Eclipse
The quiet square, the white door,
the peacock on the kitchen floor.
the peacock on the kitchen floor.
Take a chance. Knock. You might be
let in through that wooden door.
let in through that wooden door.
Step carefully but do not be afraid.
He only wants to startle you –
He only wants to startle you –
peacock on the kitchen floor,
who flew from Ravenna
who flew from Ravenna
and landed here, to strut
below the pomegranate tree.
below the pomegranate tree.
Indigo blue and emerald green,
this bird of linoleum marquetry –
this bird of linoleum marquetry –
his eye a fallen fruit, ruby red,
curious within his tiny head.
curious within his tiny head.
Take a chance. Go there so you may
know the quiet square, the white door
know the quiet square, the white door
and how, after the moon has passed
between sun and earth,
between sun and earth,
sudden light will strike
the lamellae of this bird –
the lamellae of this bird –
a thousand coloured spots
shimmering on the kitchen floor.
shimmering on the kitchen floor.

for Janet Mullarney, March 20th, 2015.