Polar Extremes: Higher and Lower Bases

Sheets of ice cover the north side,
Icebergs propped up by the chilly, sluicing tides;
A Santa Claus assembles toys and games
To be delivered to gleeful children
On Christmas Eve once a year;
The midnight hour celebrates the holidays
With a generous gift-giving
And joyful smile;
As millions of folks enjoy the sloppy waves
Of the glistening sea;
The skies provision the splendid routes
Of the busy, majestic sleigh
Being pulled by the magnificent,
Powerful reindeer…

A snowy continent exists
In the blustery, oppressive
Southernmost zone;
A scarce region
Of imposingly low temperatures
And hearty, robust animals and creatures;
An encampment of scientists and explorers
With state-of-the-art equipment and instruments
Are stationed in this frigid and extreme habitat;
A world away from civilized conditions,
Pushing buttons and knocking on lengthy displays,
Scrounging through utility and data
To advance a stringent requirement or scope;
As the convenience of home,
Distant for some and particularly comely,
Devours the dedicated designs
Of these hungry, grateful,
Auspicious workers. 

A door is being opened
For some of the most outstanding souls
Who ever lived;

For a humanity of infinite pride,
Colossal unity,
And eclectic vision.