Rik George writes

The Turquoise Frog

You hold the turquoise frog you find

among the plants that share our house

on the flat palm of your open hand

and inquire of him which thing he prefers:

to stay a safe guest, or, set loose,

to hazard cats under the stairs.

By some alchemy of thought

you know his choice is liberty

despite vicissitude.  “Outdoors,”

you tell him, “be careful of the cats.

Come sometimes to visit me.”

You say to me, “His froghood says spawn

his kind, and here there is no she.

He'll be unhappy if he's alone.”


Frog Painting -- LilAngelWings 014