chipped, cracked, sullied

tight lip. swell twice, thrice

puffs the frog, still silence

comes about

and jaded life limps

slightly

without a crutch

not wanting pity, charity, condolences

red swollen foot thuds

heavily on snow – what deep imprints

tarnished as a body slams

down hard, breaking a fall

and elbows split;

never learning how to properly fall –

croak, croak

a frog jumps out

from no where: has it been months now?

this same spot, spittle still stains

those stones, purplish

whose dismal sounds come across

as lonely; despondent

not finding a mate,

or friendly neighbor

to swim across puddles

a bird swoops in, eyes terrific morsel

worth a bite. ducks down,

deep into water nearby

and murky life in still water

puzzles this predator;

where is life?

calling sweetly to lure;

while beneath

a green frog begins to smile;

do a full waltz, can’t catch me

and a man with a crushed spirit

descends into oceans;

swims like a dolphin that day – calling out

to surfers, eagles, kayakers

alike – with bruises, red orange purple

and splashing about without concern

it’s just water.