The Fidelity of Penguins

Biologists nod, neither moved nor surprised.  Emperor penguins are faithful, because co-nurturing.  Look to the genes -- just do the math.  The mating pair  have every bit as much invested in their chick, as do people-species Mommy & Daddy  in their baby  -- in general, more.  For, penguins only ever have one chick at a time; survival is very doubtful; and the parents themselves don’t live long.

All true -- too true.  Yet let us take  a step beyond  such arithmetic.

In by-gone times, moralists moralized:  “Get thee to the ant!” , to instill habits of industry and frugality.  And we smile at that.

Yet -- let that smile fade from your faces:  for indeed it is in such as these, that we see some single one  small virtue,  beyond-reckoning  Exalted:  for that  these creatures  have  but little else.

Thus -- the Fidelity of Penguins:  it is all in all to them.  What further more, upon their bleak blank outcrop of primeval ice, might tempt them ‘way, or offer other pleasures?  Fidelity to thy mate -- that ye may raise that chick, that single chick,

that one (that lone) most precious, most memorable,

most mysterious and ama(!)zing

Gift

from

(we know not whence, nor Whom)

…

…  …. (?)

( !   !!      !!! )

In these, Fidelity lies --flayed -- like a Saint stripped,

whipped, and skinned,

by the cruel wind ...

-- nothing other between these silent sufferers,

and their God …….

Thus :  (e’en)  us.

Let us

kneel,  and acknowledge:

“Thank you Lord, thank you,

that I have someone to be Faithful to …”