The Toad Not Shaken
BY R.W. O'ROURKE I JUNE 29, 2008

Two toads emerged in my neighborhood,
Seeming as different, night to day,
Holding my int'rest, long I stood;
One looking less toad-like than it should
Rife with tendencies, it seemed, to splay.

Observing the other, as it were,
And no doubt owning fitted structure,
Neatly assembled, as toads prefer,
Less the victim of rattle, or stir,
Missing signs of aesthetic rupture.

One's misfortune, the other's blessing,
Their fate sealed firm in the hands of chance.
One toad minus the proper dressing;
Molecules disagreed, I'm guessing,
I doubt it attends the next toad dance.

One whole toad and amphibian pie
Just this side of the white picket fence.
Two toads emerged in my 'hood, and I...
I took the one unraveled. Why?
For anatomical reference.

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