Why I Love the Penguin

author’s note:

To all the penguins out there.


WHY I LOVE THE PENGUIN

Why did I respond so strongly
to that penguin video?

Why did I nearly cry
when I saw that little fellow waddle
over the white Antarctic ice?

And why did I sigh
when the bird plonked
into the chop of the sea
then glided
in intelligent undulations
down and down
through deeper shades of blue?
It flew through the water
on wings that before seemed useless.

Maybe in that waddler
I saw how I usually am in the world.
And maybe in that sleek swimmer
I saw my secret desire.

When I go below the surface
I feel the grace within.
A quiet intensity that defies expression
so for the purposes of this poem
I will call it “soul”

knowing that those who read poets
will understand
what I mean when I say:
I feel more grace, more soul
the deeper I go.

But I’ve never been able
to go deep enough
to know pure grace, pure soul.

Like the penguin
I’m only able to stay under a short time
then I must emerge
to waddle around on the ice once more.

I enjoyed the penguin before—
it looked so cute in its tuxedo.
But now I love the penguin
having witnessed
its deep desire for soul.

mythsteps · why I love the penguin

Listening to Silence: poetry book
dream steps blog
myth steps blog
you tube channel
© 2025, Michael R. Patton

The Greater Fear

author’s note:

Based on a dream.  So it must be true.


THE GREATER FEAR

As I began to wake I began to realize
I was scaling a mountain—

my destination unknown—
hidden in the clouds high above.

Having come so far
up the side of this vertical rock
I decided to keep climbing.
And besides—the way down
appeared to be very tricky footing.

Fortunately
the matter at hand helps to distract me
from the distance
I still need to go
as well as the distance
I could fall.

However
I must occasionally stop for air
and though I may then experience
a moment of peace
if the break goes on too long
my fear of heights
will start to shout:
don’t dare move another finger.

Fortunately
my greater fear:
the fear
of being caught in the net
of that natural fear
spurs me then
to stretch my arms
once again.

mythsteps · The Greater Fear

Common Courage: poetry book
dream steps blog
myth steps blog
you tube channel
© 2023, Michael R. Patton