"The clown-faced peacock
Dragging sixty suns ..."
(Flannery O'Connor, The Peacock Roosts, 1953)
Lately it's been:
same-old-same-olds where something new would be oh-so-welcome;
silence (the kind with crickets) where even a faint echo could go a long way to encourage;
being talked at instead of being conversed with or listened to;
unnecessary, whipped-up drama where peace would accomplish more;
machines making things more difficult instead of the ease they promise;
indifference where engagement could work a sort-of magic (or at least couldn't hurt).
Solutions to these things aren't easy and may never be resolved, they can only be accepted and dealt with as best one can. One (this one) can only try not to get dragged into the undertow.
Even though I'm discouraged, I've always thought it my great good fortune to posses the ability to find consolation, joy, in seemingly small things.
And so the other day I got a surprise when one of my new co-workers brought me a bouquet of peacock feathers from her pet peacock. If you don't already know, I have a particular fascination with and affinity for peacocks so this was a small "b", small "d", big deal!
Some of the feathers are almost 4' long and the colors are dazzling, not just the halos, but also the fronds that glow iridescent purple; for something so large they are soft as a baby's eyelashes. It's astonishing that something so intricate grows out of the backside of a bird. And the whole scenario - meeting someone who owns a peacock, the feathers - is just so weirdly wonderful!
I can stay afloat on "weirdly wonderful" for quite a while.
7 comments:
those little blessings, like manna in the midst of the wandering...
are not these the most beautiful feathers...
praying you will be encouraged today!
I got rid of a bunch that have been collecting dust for years. My former boss's wife raises peacocks. (or she did at that time). They are quite beautiful. I still have a vase of short ones.
Hey Jeannine, haven't stopped in for awhile but after reading your post decided to leave a few thoughts with you.
How wonderful that you were passed these feathers just when you needed them, have you read anything about personal totem animals? Anyhow, peacocks are associated with watchfulness because of the 'eyes' in their plumes (so maybe it is a time to keep your eyes open to what's going on around you) as well they have such a loud and raucous call, they are a reminder for us to laugh at life :>
I know I was enlightened a bit after reading about them - thanks for that & hope this helps, xo
It sounds like this special bouquet came at a perfect time.
The indifference line has me worried.
Yes, it's for sure the little things ;)
(♥)
yes, joy in small things. :) love your colorful feathers. my sister used to have peacocks and gave me feathers then but now they are all gone and they have goats instead. goats are nice but not as fancy! :)
they are very beautiful and see inspirtation all around
Speaking of dazzling... this image is dazzling.
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