The March Of The Penguins (a poem)
Poetry | Posted by Jannie on 26 March 2010 @ 11:54 AM 37 Comments
The March Of The Penguins
Raise your beer to the Emperor daddies
this summer, and toss that steak on the grill,
as they’re simmering their unborn
between their toes and the fat
of their dwindling bellies,
taking turns on the outside of
a windchilled minus 100 huddle
– their wives 70 miles away, haggling
with the grocer over bacon and beans.
This has been a Flash Fiction Friday 55. Exactly 55 words!
Skip on over to the G-Man’s lair to check out who else posted a 55 today.
huddle photo credit: gov.australia
And now 3 important announcements….
1. Mumford, the stuffed penguin above, was a surprise recently mailed from that Wise Patricia Woman to the child above. How that’s for some sweet bloggity love??!!!
2. I am about to head to the woods until Sunday with a tent, a jumbo box of chocolates and a cooler full of bacon and beer. I have no idea if my iPhone will work in them thar hills, so…
3. If you are a new commenter here, your brilliance will sit in moderation until I either get back from the semi-wilderness, or realize my beloved iPhone does work out there – at least until the battery runs down. 
Oh — actually 4 announcements…
4. I have not peed my pants in WEEKS!!! Whoo-hoo!!!
Have you seen The March Of The Penguins, and if so, what did you think of it?
xoxo
On 26 March 2010 at 1:28 pm Anthony North said,
That was fun. Enjoyed it.
On 26 March 2010 at 1:53 pm william said,
wow fantastic pictures, great photography..:)
On 26 March 2010 at 1:59 pm Chris Edgar said,
Bacon and beans — well, sounds like it beats ice fishing. But of course that is just my “anthropomorphic” take on what it’s like to be a penguin, which I’m sure is way off.
On 26 March 2010 at 3:07 pm Jingle said,
wow, my!
lovely animals, cute photos,
I am lucky to jump here and see it before I leave for school to pick up my son…
you are amazing!
On 26 March 2010 at 3:08 pm Jingle said,
Happy Friday!
I am glad that you wrote a 55,
which is creative and a bonus to the post!
love your passion and wit in your post!
xo
On 26 March 2010 at 3:11 pm Hilary said,
Hi Jannie, Kelly, Jim and Patricia .. hey .. what a brilliant pic .. doesn’t she look chuffed! Patricia such an excellent prezzie ..
Now camping and being away .. sounds too good and wonderful – would love to come .. bacon and butties – too delicious too .. & a Guinness?!
I took my honorary god-daughter and my uncle to see the film .. they loved it – Derek thought it was a real treat .. no-one had taken him to a film for years ..and Demelza was young enough to be enthralled.
Relax .. just use the iphone to take some pics .. have fun .. and we’ll see you soon …
hope BB is ok .. and well looked after while you’re away .. hugs to all .. Hilary xx00xx00
On 26 March 2010 at 3:21 pm brian miller said,
sweet. have fun in the woods. kinda glad i am not a penguin about now…lol. nice 55!
On 26 March 2010 at 3:53 pm vered | professional blogger said,
Wow, exactly 55 words! Loved it.
Enjoy your weekend!
On 26 March 2010 at 4:29 pm Paige said,
want a neat and surprising 55,
camping with beans and bacon (where’s the beer?)
have fun and forget the blog for a day or two, It’s okay, really we will still love you and all your flinging bras
oh and I’m so proud of you for the pee thang
On 26 March 2010 at 8:38 pm G-Man said,
Jannie Funster!!!
You gotta thing for tuxedoed, flightless little waddlers?
Excellent 55 My Dear..
Thank you so very much for visiting and playing today.
I hope you had fun…:-)
You Rock Baby…Have a Kick Ass Week-End
Galen
On 26 March 2010 at 8:42 pm kim said,
SahWeet post and sweeter Penguin pic!!
x0
On 27 March 2010 at 2:27 am SnaggleTooth said,
Wow- what a wild combo for a 55 as a poem, n flash fiction! I love your main characters too!
Patricia was so great to send such a nifty new pal to Kelly! Wow! (Applause!) Such a perfect gift!
I hope camping has you feeling as snug as the chick in the third pic-v Have fun- CUsoon!
On 27 March 2010 at 8:28 am dustus said,
Cool post. Neat how you approach flash fiction. I just started trying my hand at it and find it difficult. Awesome pictures!Have a nice weekend
On 27 March 2010 at 10:49 am Daisy said,
I loved the poem, Jannie! Yes, I did see The March of the Penguins, and I thought it was fascinating. Hope you have a great weekend!
On 27 March 2010 at 12:03 pm Megan "JoyGirl!" Bord said,
Enjoy your excursion, Jannie! You had me at “jumbo box of chocolates.” What else does one need in the wilderness?
Awesome penguin, by the way. Bloggers rock!
On 27 March 2010 at 1:01 pm Patti said,
I love this! Yay for the daddies!
On 27 March 2010 at 11:31 pm Jeanne said,
Jannie,
Mumford is huge! Bigger than Kelly! I’ll bet she was thrilled when she received it!!!
55 words from the expert poet, Jannie Funster… woman of endless talents!
March of the Penguins was a great movie!
Jeanne
On 28 March 2010 at 5:01 am Jay Zuckerman said,
I’m always impressed with the skill it takes to be a poet. Words don’t always come easy to me. I hope you make it back safe from your camping trip. Long live bacon and Beer Wahoooooo!
On 28 March 2010 at 5:33 am Jingle said,
Hope that you smile when you wake up in the morning and feel all rested, refreshed, and fine!
Happy Haunting in the Woods!
On 28 March 2010 at 6:45 am sheila said,
Beautiful pics! And that is one BIG ASS bird! (the stuffed one, lol)
On 28 March 2010 at 8:22 am Lynn said,
I saw that penguin movie. A good 55, Jannie Muffin.
On 28 March 2010 at 10:05 am Mama Zen said,
You are so crazy, Jannie!
On 28 March 2010 at 11:49 am Davina said,
Hi Jannie. Enjoy your adventure. You can’t go wrong with bacon, chocolate and beer
What a cute stuffed penguin! That was a great gift from Patricia.
On 28 March 2010 at 12:17 pm Audra Krell said,
Hi Jannie,
First, your 55 words are brilliant! I LOVE it. Second, you are cracking me up this Sunday morning. I think you are overdue for a peeing, I hope you brought some Depends for the drive home.
On 28 March 2010 at 1:24 pm Ana Goncalves said,
What a beautiful poem, so very unique! I love it.
I hope you have a wonderful time out there in the woods, and do let us know how it all went!
Happy Weekend
P.S-Would love to be on your blogroll.
On 28 March 2010 at 4:49 pm Thomma Lyn said,
I love the poem — amazing! And have fun in the woods. Wonder if you’ll see any penguins there?
Blue Bunny looks cute standing on his head. He’s become an acro-bun!
xoxoxo
On 28 March 2010 at 5:47 pm Patricia said,
Oh Jannie what a great 55 – so clever you are. We are having big rain so no camping, but I did make doggies and baked beans with a rhubarb crisp to get in the spirit.
I loved March of the Penguins.
I need to make a clarification here. Yes, I was the agent who packed up Mumford the penguin and put it on a delivery truck to Kelly….but the Penguin is from my IT daughter. When she heard that Kelly was trading in her pastel bears for a Penguin igloo bedroom she thought she would share her wealth- Geek Girl SF has about 100 penguins left in her family bedroom and about 100 penguins in her apt. in San Francisco….it was one penguin lover recognizing another collector.
Have fun camping – turn off the iphone except to take pictures
On 28 March 2010 at 7:16 pm Texas Spring Camping On The Perdnales | Jannie Funster said,
[...] I have read all your wonderful sweet awesome comments on my rather strange penguin post, and I will be answering all of you, of course, But probably not until in the morning! As in, [...]
On 29 March 2010 at 12:37 am J.D. Meier said,
I have a new respect for penguins … from Happy Feet to Surf’s Up to March of the Penguins.
Talk about a group thing … penguins really know how to embrace community.
On 29 March 2010 at 11:22 am Jannie said,
…
Anthony!! Thanks. I was worried it was just too weird, or stilted, as it was a much longer poem I distilled, but I read it again this morning, and it’s kind of okay in the long poetry scheme, I guess.
Thanks so much for popping by here again! It is always fun getting to know a new blogger over time.
William!! Well, I cannot take credit for the bottom two pix, as noted, and the one of Kelly with Mumford I can now see how I would’ve posed differently, but that’ll be some excitement for a future post! I was chasing the very last rays of a sunset there, and Mumford would NOT sit still!
Chris!! You’ve again changed… that sparkle in your gravatar’s eye! Ah, but fairly I jest thee!! You have veritable sparkle quills shooting from you at all times. anthropomorphic, okay you gonna make me Google. and while I’m at it, I better check out entropy again, ’cause I done gone and forgot that one.
YESS!! Beats fending off the wilds for krill, that bacon and beans idea. 
I have answered 3 whole questions! I am going for a bath.
But first to an excavation to see what I might wear today.
On 29 March 2010 at 2:10 pm Jannie said,
…
Jingle!! Thank you! You are amazing TOO!! Ahh, I fully understand the rushing off to pick up the child from school thing, which I will be doing in a little less than 2 hours.
Then to Martial Arts if she’s is feeling not too tired, she was pretty worn out this morning. 
Jingle!! You are so sweet to pump up my comment numbers!!
whatever will I do with a lovely lady such as yourself?? Hope we keep blogging together forever, i guess! 
Jingle!! I have certainly been thinking about your Kreative Post, and since I want the recipients to be bloggers I have never ever linked up before, I sm working slowly on it, but am happy it will unfold as a beauty when ready to post! Passion and wit – whoo-hoo!! 
Hilary!! Yes, and the funny thing of it was, the prezzie lay in our entryroom for maybe 4-5 weeks until it was opened, as I thought it was “just one more of Jim’s car part” arrivals, but Patricia had teh benefit of being on telephone with us and hearing our thrilled reaction when we opened the parcel! Finally opened, I should say!
Butties?? Butties!!! Over here that would mean a fag end or a gaggle of human derrieres. Nah, not much of a stout girl here, I like a nice lager, preferable between 8% and 13% alcohol content, if possible! 
None of this “making lvoe in a canoe” business. Have you heard that jokd? Better not — it’s got a very naughty word in the punch-line, beginning with F, and ending in you know what? 
the movie was sad too, when the egg, then teh chick died. I’m such a sap for those kinds of things. A real movie cryer. Hell, I cry seeing a father walking his young daughter across the street. 
Kelly was so glad bb did NOT come, she gets a little tired of me talking in his voice — yes, I must channel him for communication!! 
Many iPhone pix taken, as noted in next post 
Brian!! When I was researchig my poem a bit on Wiki, I learned that that breed of penguin generally has the worst lot of any animal on Earth!! I like being the species I am!
I did have a lot of fun in the woods, yes, thank you.
Vered!! yes, I almost settled for “about” 55 awords, but kept at it until I had fulfilled my full mission. I think it’s made a stronger woman out of me!!
Paige!! Is that first word want or what??
I’m guessing what? yes, strange as all get out, I think I eneded up happy with it, teh poem that is. I may switch it yet, to say raise you glass to the Emperor daddies… and end it with… haggling with the grocer over bacon and beer. I did change up that poem considerably from its first version. 
I so did NOT forget my blog out there Well, I may have for a whole hour at a stretch , here and there. 
Oh, and about teh bras thing — I]ve not a nice one on today, only worn maybe 6 times, really a bathing suit top inshape of a sprots bra, but keep that secret between you n me, um-kay?/ Thanks! Oh, well, I broke my non-pants-peeking streak on Saturday night. You have any idea how it goes with a second beer in ya, and you can’t find the lock to shut the porta-potty door?? Well, luckily I had another good pair of jeans with nme! 
Well, G-Man, I do like penguins, I guess, but this kind of all tied together, eh? I really enjoy playing the Friday 55, was sad that I coulnd’t participate with more of the other bloggers on this, and check out their 55s, as I basically published this, then got me on out to the woods. Next time I’ll be here for the full frontal enjoyment of this!!
Kim!! Thank you, my dear. And Momford is so incredible soooooffffttttt! And huggable. And still has the price tag on, even tho Patricia’s girl got him new, what — 15 years ago??
I’ll post this now and go do a bit of yoga break and answer more comments later. Yep!
xoxoxoxo
On 29 March 2010 at 3:26 pm Jannie said,
…
Snag!! I’m at the library! Cool, eh??
that being said, and realize I still make lots of typos here too, Wild, great word you chose. Wild, indeed! Yep, Patricia’s gift amazed and humbled me. Camping — I loved it, even if I did wish Jim were there. Maybe next year I’ll get a night out of him! 
Dustus!! Well, as I mentioned to someone above, I started with a much longer poem, then tried my hand at trimming it. I had 3 words I sacrificed at the very end to get to 55, instead of 58. Oh well. You should try it! Just as an exercise, if nothing else! Your writing is good, so why not give it a whirl if it interest you!
Daisy!! Ah, thanks, dancing Daisy. I wasn’t so sure if it worked, but I guess I’ve slipped it past, anyway.
It was a fascinating movie. I only saw it just 3 weeks ago, or so, for the first time. It stuck with me — obviously! 
Megan!! Ah, another chocolate lover, eh? I must admit, the past 2 weeks or so I’ve weaned off it a bit, well, if you call having just 1 Almond Joy, 1 Twix, 1 Lindt with wafers in that time-frame, I guess I weaned quite well.
It was nice, yes. More for The Child than I, believe me, but overall a Good Experience. 
Yep Bloggers Do Rock — love your latest e-mail, still to respond to. (And I freely admit I was a little jealous of your entire CA excursion!)
Patti! Ah, thanks SO MUCH, poetry lover!!! I do appreciate your sweet visit and support. YAY for the Emperor (and all,) daddies of love!!
They have a quite a life set-up them penguins, that’s for sure! Just amazing their life-cycle and habits!
JEANNE!!!! Am I seeing things or is that indeed a blazingly beautiful sunset off your left shoulder in your gravatar??? have I just never noticed that before –or is that new??? “Expert poet” you make me laugh! I am FAR from that but I do try, and get faily close sometimes.
JAY!! Words dont’ always come easy to me either!!! Whew — glad I’m far from the only one. I guess this one started as a thought soon after I saw the movie, and I let it flow. Then cropped, pasted and edited.
Now YOU, my man with your word-class artistry– YOU are what I totally admire and appreciate!! I am in awe of your stuff. In fact I have you down for my next awards presentation here — 3 of you chosen, only 4 more to go!! yeah — may bacon and beer continue to amaze and sustain. Not so sure the swine would agree with that, but hey, there IS a food chain, or so I hear. 
And pigs don’t live forever either. 
Jingle!! I especially smiled Sunday morning — knowing thaat the “ordeal” was almost over.
Nah, I’m joking. (a bit.) It was a lot of work — all that packing, setting up, tearing down, re-packing and hauling without my other half. But I was a good mom and did it!! 
Sheila!! Yes, even tho Kelly is petite, you are exactly right — that IS one BIG-ASSED BIRD!! And cute as all get-out! Once I get her penguins room done I hope there will still be room for Mumford in there.
Speaking of which , I have not touched that decorating in like, well, since 6 weeks — yikes!! I just want to get it right, is all, and plan it well before I commit. Yeah, that’s the hold-up!! 
Lynn!! Well…. did you mostly laugh or cry at that movie? I was just amazed those photographers stayed down there for a whole freaking year!! Worth it , tho. One of the most incredible movies I’ ever seen. I’d actually be equally amazed I’m sure to see a movie of the making of the movie. I must see how much footage there is of that too.
Mama Z!! Yeah, you’re probably referring to my TMI about the pants-peeing. And you’re right. I am. Quite nuts. In more than one way!!
Davina!! Wasn’t it just the sweetest heart-felt, heart-driven thought and carry-through on both Patricia and her daughter’s part? That Patricia, I tell ya!! And that you — sending ME champagne for my CD release — I’ll never ever forget that, you know! Never!
Friends!! Another yoga or some kind of break is needed. I slept weird on that air-matress and may have sustained one of those rare but serious sleep kinks. Well, not that serious, no, but a real pain in the ass, pain in the left shoulder blade area kind of annoyance!
I bet when next you see me back here I’ll finish responding to the rest of you sweeties’ comments.
WHOO_HOO!!!
xoxo
On 29 March 2010 at 6:20 pm Jannie said,
…
Audra!! Hey, again! Always a highlight to have you pop by! Um, on that thing your comment addresses, see above and my comment to Paige about the porta potty incident. No Depends yet, but that might be something for me to look into!
oh, and thNks on the poem!
Ana!! Here you are again with a sweet comment and I have nit even gotten over to your blog yet! But I’m getting very very close to soon being able to drink in your wonderful creativity over there. Oh, and you on my blogroll? You bet!! I need to update it, anyway! Awesome!!!
Thomma Lyn!! Really? You liked the poem? Ahh, thanks! Acro-bun! That’s so him!! He’s been watching my Kelly gymnastics videos and feeling way left out! Poor little guy. He’s thinking of switching from clog dancing to soccer!
Patricia!! Please send rhubarb crisp!! That would be sheer double delightf bliss with vanilla ice cream! Hmmn. I feel like cooking! I thank you and IT gal BOTH, of course!! And I was wondering– do you remember what year approximately she bought that?? Sharing the wealth is always such a sweet plan. You guys make me smile with my heart.
J.D.!! I have not yet seen Surf’s Up. Is that a good one?
Wow!! I answered all these comments!! Whoo-hoo!!
xoxoxo
On 29 March 2010 at 6:44 pm Jaymie said,
Love it!
On 29 March 2010 at 11:48 pm Patricia said,
Jannie,
I am sorry, I don’t remember the year, we acquired all the Mumford penguins in the collection. We did not actually purchase it, or the matching slippers or something else that came along. Debbie Munn the designer did the all the decorations for the Mervyn’s stores that year for the Winter Season and Mumford was at the top of the escalator. So many kids and families knew of IT girls love of penguins that they submitted her name and she won the big prize….Her Grandmother was still active and was called to come and pick them up…20 or 21 years ago..??? That is the best my mind can piece together – She is out of the country but I will ask her when she returns.
The rhubarb is growing so more crisp soon
I use maple syrup for the sugar and oatmeal, chopped almonds and tapioca flour for the topping…+ cinnamon…oh it just smells heavenly…
You will just need to come for a visit!
XO
On 31 March 2010 at 3:36 am SnaggleTooth said,
Patricia’s comment just got me so hungry for Rhubarb crisp! We used to have it growing in the yard when I was young-
As I’m reading these comment answers, it turns out to be a strange coinkydink that I’m re-watching “Surf’s Up” from my dvd collection right now!
It’s animated penguin surfer dudes as show biz icons in a documentarty style direction format. N Chicken Joe makes the film! Good for kiddies too- Not like March of the Penguins at all…
On 31 March 2010 at 3:25 pm Jannie said,
…
hello peeps!!
Jaymie!! Ahh, thanks! It’s a little weird, but on to the next poem.
Patricia!! Ah, maybe 20 or 21 years ago. I was just wondering how long that price tag might’ve been on there, and just musing how long Mumford gave pleasure to IT gal. Rhubarb crisp, be still my hungry heart! And yes, I DO need to come for a visit, I mean go. Kelly and I are not planning on going to Canada, so we’ve got to decide where to go with Jim! So many possibilities!
Snaggle!! I know — that crisp, or any fruit crisp that’s nice and tart does excite me. Let the vanilla ice cream melt into it. Ummmmn. Cup of tea. Ummmmmnnnn. Surf’s Up!! Sounds like one to check the library shelf for!!
xoxoxoxo