The Peacock
Patrick Jamieson, Victoria, BC
Volume 41 Issue 7, 8, & 9 | Posted: October 6, 2026
To Elizabeth Smith Jamieson
1943-2026
On Roman coins, the peacock designates the Apotheosis of the princess.”
– J.E. Cirlot (A dictionary of Symbols)
When I got home, my neighbor Kent informed me
That a peacock had spent the entire afternoon
Outside my window waiting.
In the morning I realized it was thou
Appearing in your new suit of immortality
You have passed the present stage
Moved on into totality now.
2.
Your pedigree growing up
Your permanent place in the order
In the Township of Oromocto
On Smith Farm, expropriated
For progress. You came of age
In a four storey house on the river
With top flight a gymnasium size
Room used for community dances.
Our mothers hit it off royally
Margaret and Jane, couple of
Other Queens, in their own
Realms of love and duty.
3.
As I saw it
You never really liked to drift
Too far from that prior disposition.
Ottawa and Germany and Vancouver
And Winnipeg saw the kids grow up.
Victoria on an island, which made
You nervous, islands. Liz and I
Had many far ranging conversations.
I was always very impressed she took
Her degree in German with Professor
Luscher at UNB where older brother
Carl was a math whiz and her older
Sister married one of his best friends,
An Edwards…
Ah, UNB days where Jimmy
Collected so many parking
Tickets from Rent a Cops
His rebellious streak but
He had to pay the fines
To graduate…
4.
Rich New Brunswick roots so she
Never lost her knowledge of Potatoes.
In Christian Art the peacock appears
As a symbol of the incorruptible soul.
(See Obit)
Patrick Jamieson, Victoria, BC