Flightless Bird

Signature species of Antarctica,
a mascot, if you will.
Porpoising when necessary
holding my breath for krill.

Stiff paddle-like flippers
instead of the power of flight.
Densely packed feathers
of mostly black and white.

Often awkward on shore.
My bones submerge within
icy obscure waters.
This frigid life I'm in.

Can't escape captivity
even if I have no cage.
Due to my own curiosity
The Rookeries, I disengage.

Not an Emperor breed, I heard.
I'm just a flightless bird.

*Written for a Raven's contest