At small human size emperors stand very tall
The largest, most regal, penguin of all

All dressed in their tux for a formal affair
On fish they will dine -that are caught unaware

From a smoke screen of bubbles they work as a team
To disorient both predators and prey it would seem

With bellies of fish to feed hungry young
They must return home without getting sprung

First to accelerate with a flick and a flutter
Torpedo-like form using tails like a rudder

Then with lightning speed they pop with such zeal
In an effort to not be a leopard seal’s meal

They leap through the air with the greatest of ease
Even though they have no perceivable knees

Now this leaping is more than just penguins at play
But a tactic to keep a leopard seal ambush at bay

Once safe on the ice they feed their young chick
To regurgitate fish is a pretty neat trick

And once their sole chick stops screaming for more
Comes the time to clean up any messy fish gore 

So they cradle their chick between flipper feet
To preen oily feathers that must be kept neat

Settling down for a nap, the small family of three
Has adapted to the Antarctics -30 Degrees 

Inspired by Paul Nicklen’s Life and Stress at the Ice Edge. Initially read in Maptia and also published in DAN magazine.

Background found on Pixabay by Siggy Nowak, superimposed stuffed animals by me.

Thank you  for your inspiration. If you can’t go to the Antarctic, bring the Antarctic to you.