Peacock Pathos - The Artist's Blues

Jeseppi © 5/3/98



does a peacock say
i must grow my fan a little longer
i must raise my chicks
to be above all the rest

peacock pathos

educated and trained
like trout bred for slaughter
feeding on corn
we frenzy about each kernel

but peacocks live immortal in eden
these are the pickers and gatherers
of gardens
unconformed
unbridled
self manifested individual freedom
in self mastery
channels for the radiant
majestic beings
powerfully connected
to the restful
workings of peace
generating worship
in affection
for the true one
from true being

it is from this place
that the peacocks name
all the animals

let’s see

you are
fatted trout
you please me
you please others
you please everybody
for corn
and not much either
just a little
so every day
we must train you
yes we must remind you to say
the new word
peacock
peacock pathos

i did not say
pee
cock
i said peacock
but you say
pee
cock

seeing how with strapped on prod
sally searches shallow women
sort of like mister gomez
who beats his bell shaped wife
just before cocking her
just before she blows his horse feathers
into permanent deflation
the curse of her permanent defoliation

wholly submitted
to virgins vigils
she does not see
being humbled to understand
one must come down to the earth
while he still stands
squatting not
not he
nor his horse
even the horse does not squat
they will never squat
never even considered
they keep on arrogantly
moving along
and oh dio mio
to anyone who may be following behind
when they release their energies
carelessly
effortlessly
along our guided path

but now the peacock comes
feathers abloom
promethean protractor
for the divine
lifting plume
high above the ground
saying
what a piece of work
this man
lover of horse
careless beasts
driving on together
a compassionless duality
straining at each other’s mortality
peacock pathos

when it comes
these must walk ahead
of those whose gifts are radiant
who search for light
finding moisture
and good feeding
who walk in the natural way
not measuring
not owning
not hording
but spreading ribs wide apart
to reveal a yielded heart †