Peale's Eagle

senryu

Eagle soared on air

Charles Willson Peale stuffed him

now he’s on display

 

Author's Note

Charles Willson Peale was an artist and a naturalist. He painted the best-known portraits of our founding fathers. Many of his works are on display in the Portrait Gallery at the Second National Bank in Philadelphia. Also on display here is this eagle, which Peale kept as a pet, and when he died, Peale stuffed him himself. Weird history, yet eerily beautiful...

Reviews

[TL Boehm]

It is eerily beautiful. Eagles are enigmas in and of themselves.

[Rita L. Sev]

You, Peale thought so, too... Thank you, Tammy

[Zahra]

Amazing senryu, really cool

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you!

[Marie]

I think this is a beautiful idea.

[Rita L. Sev]

I love going to this display - it is strangely peaceful...

[Aethereal]

This is a very inspiring historical senryu. It inspired me to write the following gift poem for you which your may keep as your own:

Soar

Once an eagle soared
first through space, and then through time
as a stuffed display.

[Rita L. Sev]

Peale did find him, flying around the State House. He just couldn't let him go, I guess... Thank you!

[ShelleyA]

A very good write and skillfully crafted Senryu. Perfect form of 17 syllables or less. Excellent brevity. You paint a picture with your words that the reader can see in their mind's eye even if you didn't post the image with your poem. Well penned and a good read. Write on!

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Shelley! I posted the pic because it's just so... strange yet cool... :) Nice pic of you, by the way!

[ShelleyA]

You're welcome and thank you.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, that is very weird...the Eagle our symbol...a country of freedom and independence, and our mascot held captive.
strange irony there.

[Rita L. Sev]

Indeed. It is amazing how well preserved he is, though - he's over 200 years old... maybe that is a good omen... Thank you, Jacob!