She stands her ground -
magnificently.
Gone is the insignificant pea-hen
with head bowed.
In her stead, a terrifying Brunhilde
fiercely flaunts her feathered shield.

Her armoured feet are placed in fourth position.
Her eyes stare intently at the ground.
She backs up,
step
by step -
as in a trance.

Suddenly she turns on the intruder,
feathers fanning furiously,
beak making a sharp clicking sound.

The little red wattle-bird
flits in and a out of the azaleas
enjoying his game of hide and seek.
Every now and then,
he sneaks
another morsel
of Brunhilde's feast.

The heroic shield-maiden
attacks again and again -
eyes focused hypnotically,
neck plumped to twice its size.

All at once, the drama is interrupted
by a black and white magpie
who swoops down beside her,
stands on one leg,
and chortles appreciatively -
like a Greek chorus.

Alison Cassidy

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/peacock-story-6-confrontation-witnessed-through-the-kitchen-window/