Illustrations, free after various examples of picture postcards
© Joke van der Ark 2012
As proud as a king
May I ask you something?
Have you ever seen
anything like
such a lovely scene?
A tail, when it’s
spread out wide, in the way
of a fan, with a pattern of eyes,
alike brocade and lace.
Which can be seen
when spring’s in the air
and a peacock is courting
to a nice girl somewhere.
To draw her attention
he’ll do anything
to put on a show
because he can’t sing.
Maybe some day
he’ll do it for you;
you’ll be the one that matters.
Then as proud as a king
he’ll put on a parade
with his tail spread out wide
and a crown on its head
made of real kinglike feathers.
Rhyme 16