American Nike by Gregory Palmerino

The Dinner Horn, by Winslow Homer, 1870.

American Nike

Her pewter horn points out to sea and back
over the heads of five white-shirted men
busy from feeding a well-fed haystack
 
and three plain chickens pecking at the fen
all look content around a red heifer
belayed by work and light set far away.
 
At centre, her flowing white dress frames her
antique design and holds this sun-filled day,
but no one yet heeds her diurnal blow.
 
As happy boughs lay petals at her feet,
this domestic triumphal stands for show.
Where free motion and sudden stillness meet--
 
Is this Homer‘s New World Winged Victory
or one maid blowing her own shivaree?


Gregory Palmerino

This poem first appeared in The Road Not Taken.

Gregory Palmerino's poetry and prose have been published in several print and online journals. His most recent work can be found in Autumn Sky, The Literary Hatchet and The Road Not Taken. He writes poetry in Connecticut's Quiet Corner, where he lives with his wife and three children.