My youngest granddaughter and I visit different places each week after I pick her up from school. Sometimes it's a nearby park, at other times, we just return to my home. Lucky for us that I have memberships in our zoo and in the Museum of Nature & Science. Both lie between her school and my home. It's a fun thing to stop in for an hour or two. This time, while we did ride the carousel and did watch some of the primates, mostly we watched the peacocks and new goslings, both parading around the park for their and our enjoyment (and a few crumbs). No, we do not feed them, but there are plenty of dropped crumbs anyway.
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the peacock’s tail
flashes iridescence—
his parade of fireflies
lindabaie©All Rights Reserved
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a peacock spreads the tail
creates his own gate —
no welcome here
lindabaie©All Rights Reserved
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peacock still life —
heedful of child with pretzel
lindabaie©All Rights Reserved
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Numbers two and three, pictures by me.
photo credit: xpgomes13 UK - London (Holland Park) via photopin (license)
Oh, I do envy you the special times you are able to spend with your granddaughter after school! What a wonderful way to spend the afternoon - watching peacocks!
ReplyDeleteConsidering all that is at the zoo, It was funny that we watched those peacocks more than usual. And yes, it is nice to have the girls each week. Thanks, Donna.
DeleteYou are a brass ring of a grandmother. How lucky you all are to share those special days. They will never forget, and they will be wonderful grandmothers in their turn. A legacy of love. And peacock sparkles.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Brenda. It is a joy to be with the girls, and I have joyful memories of my own grandmothers, passing that on!
DeleteLinda, what a great cultural life you have created for your granddaughters and yourself. I would like to capture the first image poem for my spring gallery and of course, I welcome you to send me others. Funny story: while at the statewide conference my friends and I went to the mall in Albany because there is a Christmas Tree shop there (ours on Long Island is far away). There was a beautiful silver peacock metal sculpture there that my friend bought for her patio. We were laughing about it as we packed the car to return home.
ReplyDeleteIt is fun to hear about this connection, Carol. I wrote you about my poems, will send them soon!
DeleteWe have peacocks on Jefferson Island, the setting of my middle daughter's wedding. We love to watch them. When they spread their feathers, such a magnificent sight. I love your peacock haikus.
ReplyDeleteWe've changed our travel plans, so we're not coming to Denver. One of these days we will meet. I promise!
It must be wonderful to see those peacocks near you. An aunt raised them on her farm, and we loved finding their feathers. I'm sad that we won't be meeting, and I will even be here, don't go to the beach until later. I hope we will finally meet some day! Thanks, Margaret!
DeleteI love those peacock photos and poems. I have not-so-fond memories of peacocks that used to wander up the hill to the camp I worked it. I loved seeing them, but their cries (which sounded just like a small child cyring help) would give me a scare and impel me to rush down to the lake to see if someone was drowning.
ReplyDeleteThe aunt I referred to above said they were her 'watchdogs' on the farm, more easily heard than the dogs. I know what you mean about their call, though. It is more of a wail. What anxious moments you must have had. Thanks, Kay.
Delete"a parade of fireflies" - I will never look at a peacocks tail the same way again! Beautiful poems about beautiful birds, Linda! I love hearing the stories of you and your granddaughters' adventures. =)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bridget. It is fun to be with the girls, and as for the peacocks: like so many other animals, I am enthralled by the way evolution has touched each in such unusual ways.
DeleteI love the parade of fireflies too! I remember being so fascinated by peacocks when I was little. They do have a distinctive cry -- loud and sometimes alarming. You and your granddaughter seem to have such fun adventures together. I always think of how many good memories she'll have of these times throughout her life. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jama. I know the peacock's tail is for show and probably several reasons, but it is quite 'over the top', don't you think?
DeleteI wish my grandparents hadn't lived so far away when I was growing up! Like so many kids of immigrants we were spread it around the world, and it would've been lovely to have these sorts of memories together. 😊
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry, too, Jane. I had some wonderful times with my grandparents.
DeleteWith a zoo membership, you have the luxury to focus on whatever strikes your fancy, rather than trying to cram it all in at once! Love the gate and the fireflies!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mary Lee, yes, it's nice to just drop in for a couple of hours.
DeleteLove those peacock haiku, Linda, especially "his parade of fireflies"— brilliant! How special for both you and the grandgirls that you don't have to cram everything into one zoo visit. You can drink in the details— love that.
ReplyDeleteIt is fun, and luckily late in the day, it isn't very busy. Thanks!
DeleteI, too, found the "parade of fireflies" to be a great turn of phrase. A peacock's unearthly cries used to wake me up summer nights, it took me a long time to figure out what they were.
ReplyDeleteI'm amazed that so many of you have had peacocks in your lives. I only did when I visited my aunt. Thanks, Diane, I'm glad you figured it out!
DeleteWe get peacocks in our garden each year. They are lovely but rather noisy and aggressive bunch. Love the idea of fireflies and gates.
ReplyDeleteYes, they are feisty, I know, hence my 'gate'. That peacock was not about to let any of us down that path. Thanks, Julieanne.
DeleteWhat a fun - and inspiring - way to spend a few minutes after school!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Matt. It is fun to have those hours and not have to make it a long day trip!
DeletePeacock's have always fascinated me. And their call/song is haunting, too. Need to write a poem about that as well! -- Christie @ https://wonderingandwondering.wordpress.com/blog/
ReplyDeleteWe did hear a few calls, but these zoo peacocks seemed quiet this time. If you do write a poem about it, be sure to share!
DeleteSuch after school fun for you and Imi. There's something so delightful about spending unhurried time with a grandmother. And your peacock haiku are stunning and stupendous!
ReplyDeleteWe do have a good time on Tuesdays, OUR day, Ramona. Thank you!
DeletePeacocks are both proud and indifferent at the same time; puzzling birds of feather, but mesmerizing to watch. Love how you captured their iridescence in your first poem, thanks Linda!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely afternoon you and Imi had! I haven't seen a peacock in person in ages. I'd forgotten their body is such a vibrant blue. Love that "parade of fireflies." Thank you for sharing, Linda!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun afternoon you and Imi had! I haven't seen a peacock in real life in ages, and I'd forgotten how vibrant blue their bodies are. I especially love that "parade of fireflies." Thank you for letting us tag along to the zoo!
ReplyDeleteThese are so much fun, Linda. I especially like the gate image. Peacocks always remind me of visiting Lord Byron's home with my grandmother -- they live in the gardens of Newstead Abbey.
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