In Kristiansand
                       - for Veronica

An emasculated peacock
felt you love him
through the wire mesh
of the fence in the park.
He quickened
and strained to show you
his beautiful erection,
but the world of wiser ones
had taken his plumage
so the only feathers
remaining
were small shimmering scales
that quickened
with his yearning
to explode beautifully
for you.