Feathering (Poetry)

She looks askance —
her steady brown-eyed gaze
inquisitive
head turning round to view
whatever’s drawn her interest
while warm light plays
on rosy lips — her scarf
a peacock’s borrowed blue.

Her young skin glows
a healthy gypsy sheen
unassuming
she wears timelessness
with ease — no dressing-up pretence
a plume spreads green
dark-feathering her arm
with natural softness.

An old symbol —
a feather tokens flight —
traditional
it lends its image to
interpretation — some sign she
on glancing might
have seen a shadow move —
a spirit passing through.