I wonder how they got that name
peacock tails I think
would be closer to the truth of it.
You never see them in the summertime
only on those high sky winter days
are the rainbows there.
I used to think when I was young
that they’re a kind of Northern Light
encircling the sun
or faery rings
planted by some winter sprite…
It’s when the air’s so cold
it flays the skin from my face.
So cold and still
I feel a need to whisper
that to break the silence
would be somehow seen a sin.
It’s then the sundogs
silently erupt and effervesce
in their kaleidoscopic dance of hues
around a winter sun
