in stiff embrace…

duchess with a bird

The hennin is the mode,

it weighs upon her head

but she does not wonder

that it claims the eye,

it is a tower, but a trifle,

the flaring horns are innocent

of finery or fancy,

they trail alike to capes

that hide much of her gown.

She flaunts her wealth and her self,

and marvels as she stands alone

in stiff embrace of the tiny bird,

her new universe, a bird’s horizon,

without joy, nor caper,

she cannot twirl.

The bird does not incline to fly,

it has no song,

quiet instants escape their time,

the bird is mystic,

it does not flail or flee,

she moves her empty hand to no avail,

together they make a tableau.

She who has no name

does not think to share a word,

she feels no need to seek for more,

the bird is indistinct, content,

it stays.

She is a duchess with a bird,

she tilts her head,

her double-horned hat flares,

it makes a scene,

it conjures trailing musics,

and pomp of court.

July 27, 2024

Inspired by sculpture at Birch Creek 315, Linden Ponds, Hingham, MA

Revised based on feedback from Dee Bayne

* * * * * *

If you’re interested in

romantic historical fiction,

try Rafael Sabatini

Scaramouche and Saint Martin’s Summer

click here

–

Above all: Poems of dawn and more with 73 free verse poems,

and the rest of my poetry books are for sale on Amazon (paperback and Kindle)

and free in Kindle Unlimited, search Amazon for “Richard Carl Subber”

Your comments are welcome—tell me what you’re thinking.