Mr. Peacock
Mr. Peacock is a reflective poem that explores the subtle and often blinding nature of pride through the image of a peacock on display. It serves as a gentle yet sobering reminder of the importance of humility and the dangers of ignoring what lies beneath the surface.
FAITH & REFLECTION
Sharifah Francis
4/27/20262 min read
Looking good, he stands up tall,
spreading tail feathers,
for all to see.
Strutting - gliding arrogantly,
nose up in the air.
Here comes Mr. Peacock
with his usual fanfare.
A question...
he answers smartly,
with his philosophical head -
as though he's done great justice -
yet refuses any help.
His ego won't allow it.
Mr. Peacock, humble yourself.
He shakes off the warning -
it does not apply to him.
Who dares to say such things?
He fans his colourful feathers,
fixes the crest upon his head,
and walks away in fine fashion;
not a care in the world.
Suddenly - or perhaps not quite -
he stumbles mid-stride,
face meeting ground.
Dazed...he looks around.
The limp he kept ignoring,
worsening by the day,
finally gives way.
Mr. Peacock sits up;
but not a soul in sight.
Only prying eyes from the bushes,
watching, quiet and still.
Yet - he will not ask for help.
He stands and hobbles away.
Mr. Peacock, humble yourself.
Reflection:
Proverbs 16:18
Pride goes before destruction,
a haughty spirit before a fall.
Pride - the thing that can look like confidence, but in reality is rooted in arrogance. At times, it may even appear as vulnerability, yet it is only a disguise for insecurity and weakness. Whether it shows up in over-valuing or under-valuing ourselves, pride ultimately centers on self - me, myself, and I.
The scripture verse above warns us of the consequences of pride when we refuse to humble ourselves. We see this reflected in Mr. Peacock as he ignores the warnings given to him. The limp he overlooks - his habits, attitudes, and struggles he believes he can manage on his own - eventually causes him to fall. Yet even after the fall, when the opportunity to humble himself presents itself, he lets it pass.
Sadly, many of us find ourselves in that same place. We are warned, we are told, and when we fall because we refused to listen, we still struggle to be honest with ourselves. Instead of receiving the help that is available, we continue in our pride - held back by shame or fear, unwilling to admit that we were wrong or that we needed help.
Even as the cry echoes throughout the poem, "Mr. Peacock, humble yourself," let it be a call to us as well. Let us lay aside the pride that can consume us, because humility opens the door to change.
Now, the question remains - will we walk through it?