Art the beautfiul pheasant
so wanted to be a partridge
dreamed of living
in a pear tree
on Christmas day
Boundaries kept him at bay
limited his Las Vegas odds
of surviving
Iowa fields
for another season
Art the beautiful pheasant
forged ahead in colorful pride
turned shrubbery
into a birdcave
and survived the winter
Such ingenuity and foresight
found favor with the gods
aided the bird
and his clan
to march further south
Art the beautiful pheasant
so wanted to be a partridge
but settled for life
in a sanctuary
on the Mississippi
december, two thousand eleven
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved
Painting by Renée C Gasper (click to enlarge)