(Coloured Woodcut by Anton Koberger, 1483)
It was a brilliant cock-the-snook at time
To poise two peacocks on a rail
For five tossed centuries. Admittedly the ark
Absurd, red-roofed, unseaworthy, would fail
At the first launching, startle
The left-hand mermaid’s basking vanities . . .
But I enjoy Koberger’s sailing day — the cat,
Grey tabby of curled fires, smoked northern winters.
Strolling in unconcern around the decking,
The flat-eared terrier, curious, welcoming
The fish-woman in the sea. The cock
Crows over scarlet spires half-submerged.
The dove-cote is a busy out-and-in tray
Filing the green leaves of reports. Spade-bearded,
Giant in a cockle shell, Noah watches,
Sure of his yellow planking, the great nails
Six to a board, studding the Word, his peacocks
Serene on the waters of anger. Five centuries
They have preserved with elegance, aloofly,
The green cascading beauty of their tails . . .
It was a brilliant cock-the-snook at time
To poise them so forever — Koberger’s
Quick decorative thumb-the-nose at death. I find it
As good a gesture as any other.
