Appendix 1 – Poetry

My Poem:

Penguin

Ungainly

Comical

Preposterous

If you could but see me in my element

You would know otherwise

You who know not the rigors of the southern sea

Would know otherwise

You who know not the leopard seal

Nor the orca

Nor the greater pelagic gray tipped shark

Would know me for

King

Penguin

Deben’s poem:

Hello Mr Pigeon

Pacing and bobbing on the ledge

I cannot guess at your purposes

But I can see they are dear to you

I turn to look

Over my shoulder

Here

Have a whole

Hot dog roll

***

“A penguin for your thoughts.”

“A penguin for my thoughts?”

“It’s something we used to say down at McMurdo Station... You seem odd since the banquet. And I can’t believe you gave that homeless man a hundred dollars. You’re usually so… frugal.”

“My emergency hundred is all I had in my wallet… and I think I might have recognized that guy.”

“Oh? Is that why you haven’t said a word since we got in the car?”

“I’m sorry I’ve been quiet… It’s just I’ve got this idea for a story.”