By Nandana Nair
Perfect, poised, and elegant,
Is all you would ever need to be.
Your astonishing feathers nothing more
Than a void of depth, a mirrored illusion.
Every day must I wait?
For you to remove that two-faced mask of yours?
For you to let loose your muzzled secrets?
For you to let them billow in the wind?
As a veil of neutrality falls over the earth,
You dance to the heartbeat of the land.
Still, we only see your beauty,
As if your attractiveness is more important than your heart.
Cocoa eyes planted onto a sapphire face,
Each feather its own galaxy,
Proof that rainbows can come to life,
But alas! Your truth is a fantasy
Overlooked, an abyss without an end,
Your past a distant echo,
Your reflection a poisoning game of pretend,
Each glance a well-aimed arrow
Cry, dear peacock, let them hear
The mightiness you have built inside of you,
The world must know of your strength and power
Before they dare admire your dazzling appeal
King of the birds, the crowned majesty of them all,
As well as his splendor, he possesses great strength,
So fly, sing, rip the shackles off your wings,
For you are the peacock, my liege