Mr. Mel

Mr. Mel

Once upon a time, there was a girl who lived out in the country and had a flock of chickens. She chanced to look out the window one day and saw a flash of bright blue down in the chicken yard. When she went out to investigate she discovered a young peacock, flashing his feathers for the chickens, who ignored him. This peacock stayed around for about 18 years and the girl named him Mr. Mel. This was because the beautiful blue of his feathers reminded her of the beautiful blue eyes of a certain handsome movie star, also named Mel.

Eventually Mr. Mel grew old and passed on and the girl buried him in the bamboo grove where he had enjoyed spending his last days. Mr. Mel has been gone for a year now but I still miss his bright feathers, his loud voice, and his companionship. I made this piece shortly after he died to commemorate our friendship.

His beauty and presence lives on in my memory. Any time I see a flash of blue in the garden I still imagine for an instant that it is Mr. Mel. I half expect to hear his voice, screaming out an alarm every time a car drives by, or to see him displaying in the yard, the wind blowing his long tail feathers out.

Enjoy the beauty around you.
Be well.