Dozens of doting children,
Walking through a hot zoo.
They pass the peacock exhibit with little fascination,
Making a beeline for the penguins.
She struts in her cage,
Panicking and pacing around.
Flaunting her fanned feathers,
she craves attention.
The unspoken “but wait, look at me!”
So evident.
Just wanting someone to take note of her beauty,
Of her talents.
Pecking at her food,
She takes whatever acknowledgement she can get.
Her seemingly endless, emerald feathers reach towards the sun,
Emulating her spirit reaching for any sign of affirmation.
From someone, anyone--
Just trying to be like the penguins.