The Peacock
Sujata Bhatt's poem 'The Peacock' captures the elusive beauty and mystery of the peacock, a bird deeply symbolic in Indian culture. The poem begins with the sudden, piercing call of the peacock, which seems to come from nowhere, followed by a vivid image of its turquoise plumage in a pipal tree. The peacock's graceful movements are described as it descends and darts away, leaving only a fleeting glimpse of its tail. The speaker reflects on a childhood belief that deep concentration while reading a favorite book can summon the peacock's presence. This belief is portrayed as a magical moment where nature responds to human focus: the wind shifts, bees stop buzzing, and even a cat stirs. The poem concludes with the peacock's tail, described as having eyes that must blink, suggesting a mystical quality to the bird's presence. Bhatt's use of vivid imagery and cultural references creates a rich tapestry of memory and identity, inviting readers to experience the wonder and transience of such encounters.
| Word | In English | Plain (English) | Pron. |
|---|---|---|---|
| turquoise | a bright blue-green color | a color that is a mix of blue and green | tur-kwoyz |
| pipal | a type of fig tree | a type of tree found in India | pee-puhl |
| veranda | a porch | a porch attached to a house | vuh-ran-duh |
| concentration | deep focus | focusing completely | kon-suhn-tray-shun |
| amber | a golden yellow color | a yellowish color | am-ber |
| gathers | collects | brings things together | gath-erz |
| fringed | bordered | having a border | frinjd |
| violet | a purple color | a type of purple | vy-uh-let |
Sujata Bhatt, born on May 6, 1956, is an acclaimed Indian poet known for her evocative and culturally rich works. Her poetry often explores themes of identity, language, and cultural intricacies, influenced by her global travels and diverse cultural exposures.
View on Wikipedia