slumlords and a polliwog's song

slumlords and a polliwog's song

 

 

on the scorching country pavement

a tree frog had lost its way

and was hopping in between tires

of a dented pick-up

traveling at 15 miles an hour

carrying old mattresses

to be furnishing run-down rentals

 

I wanted to stop and save them

help them find their way back home

or lift them into the truck's bed

so that they may have housing

which they might consider plush digs

 

amphibian palaces

palatial abodes just a hop, skip and jump

from heaven

 

but alas,

tire and toad

became together sewed

and the tread wore the warts of intrusive death

 

the truck kept moving on

the frog in permanent sleep

never more minding the oppressive heat

or worrying of skipping a beat.

 

 

 

erin-cilberto

11/5/19

Reviews

[Beccy]

There are many in this world who mirror the life of tadpoles; who are at the mercy of predators and cold weather.

To blossom to full potential, and in much the same way as all living creatures, we need warmth and light, and above all I think, the security of somewhere safe to be.

I have a great dislike of those who pray on the misfortune of others; clearly, we share the same sentiment jacob.

Beccy.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i have that same dislike, Beccy...thank you for your understanding, my friend.
j.

[kentuck14]

Yeah . . . I always feel bad when I kill something sitting in or crossing the road. Some years the "woolybears" are abundant and I hate slaughtering them! Too bad those tree frogs didn'y stay "peepers' living in country ponds. Guess that's the danger for all humans who finally leave the nest and hit the road of life . . . . never know what's coming your way until it's too late!! Good piece, J.
T

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your wise words, T.
j.

[Dave Brown]

I always feel for those little creatures that are not even considered as a statistic.
I have seen police cruisers stop traffic to allow a family of geese/ducks to cross the road, but have never seen a family of frogs extended such an example of heart warming assistance

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you Dave...extends to people as well, i think.
appreciate the visit and your words.
read morethank you Dave...extends to people as well, i think.
appreciate the visit and your words.
j.

[Michael Oliver]

Ah - no leap - splash - frog , but leap - wait - splat . Good expample of how a trivial observtion can become a whoke world of thought. Thanks Jacob

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you so much for that comment, Michael....yes, so often the trifles mean much than we first thought.
j.

[andrew mitchell]

Makes me wonder whether the frog was a princess or maybe a prince. We'll never know! A case of in the wrong place brought heaven closer.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i don't think i know...:)))
appreciate your visit as always, andrew.
j.

[andrew mitchell]

You are most welcome Jacob.

[Lydia Shutter]

A tire turning a frog into roadkill....not the typical poetic subject, but you make it work! :) Just a hop, skip, and a jump from heaven.....great line. The imagery in this one is wonderful. Lydi**

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind words, Lydi,
j.

[Lorry]

The best laid plans of mice and men, aft gang aglay... But burns omitted to mention the poor frog. I do hope he was blinking at the time and didnt see it coming.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

eyes closed...i think...ha ha...thank you, Lorry.
j.