Laughing Dog Arts

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

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.
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6 comments:

audrey said...

Awwww.... what a sweet story. It is sad that Mr. Mel is gone, but what a very nice work of art you made in his memory. Wow - 18 years. I never knew anything about peacocks before now. I guess I never realized they could live that long.
I am learning so many things from your blog, Jan. This is great - education along with the enjoyment! (:
♥ audrey

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

I miss Mr. Mel too. I miss the funny stories about him, the photos, the companionship you had with him and shared through letters.
He shared his beautiful tail feathers with so many of us....a little part of him is in all our hearts. ♥♥♥
I think he would like you to have another peacock friend.... :D
(running, ducking....)

XXOO!!
Anne...fan of Mr. Mel

Jan said...

Thanks, Audrey. Stick around, maybe you will learn about....well, I don't know what next, ha ha! Thanks for sticking around to see. I really appreciate that you do, and that you comment too.

Hey, I'm a poet and I didn't know it!

Jan said...

Yeah Anne, Mr. Mel was quite the fellow. It is always fun when I spot one of his feathers in your work too.

did you say I should get a duck??? Why I oughta.....☺h, a wise guy!

Robbie said...

A great story! Amazing how their 'cry' or scream sounds so real! They are great watch dogs aren't they. I love the feather picture you posted last!

Martha Bright said...

R.I.P. Mr. Mel. I never knew the origin of his name. I know how you must have loved him. They are delightful birds. Did I tell you mine are all girls???!!!