A Vision of Wings

 A vision of winds
             for Irene Stevens

Emperor penguins waddle
a hundred miles or so
across glaciers and snow
and slide, waggle on bellies
down hills and slopes.
They're black and white
with bursts of yellow
on neck and head.
        Flightless seabirds -
flippers now where once were wings
who zoom up high from the sea to land
hurtling through the air.
        Heads bowed
they move in ragged lines
over the blue glow of ice and snow
under craggy cliffs;
translucent light of a distant sun
but there's always one who dawdles
looks around - gets lost
        Always one who has
                a vision of wings
                        and tries
                              to fly away