Ice Emperors

For the most part I don't like it when poets give disclaimers, explanations, or even comments about their work before they present it. But, I break with my own rule here to say this poem has been in my files long before I thought of publishing it here and has nothing to do with the upcoming film about these incredible birds...


bird brained
bizarre birds
wind burned by
shrieking
storms

he balancing
embryonic birds
on feet
while she feasts

he standing still
until ice
splinters
luckily

babies
are
born
emperors

(c) 1993