Red Toad

When Ellieanna came upon
the red toad in the neighbor’s lawn
she giggled and her eyes got tall
one sunny day in leafy fall.

She ran o’er to Lorraine her mom
who came to toad remaining calm
and realizing toad was rare
secured it in a box with care.

She called the university
where archaeologists with glee
came out to see this newfound toad
ignoring current school workload.

Professors Strong and Shuttlecock
(who talked the talk and walked the walk)
arrived ere long for toad espy
which they could not identify.

“It is new species!” Strong cried out
(lil’ Ellieanna ran from shout)
as Shuttlecock stroked long white beard
wherein the child reappeared.

Then curious as happenstance
all four of them began to dance
as if a rhythm with glad hands
encouraged hips and prodded glands.

Lil’ Ellieanna jitterbugged
as Shuttlecock and Lorraine hugged
and Strong tripped light fantastic too
while wee red toad remained in view.

For unbeknownst to everyone
new species’ cadence had begun
as ribbeting albeit low
was red toad tempo allegro.


32 Lines
Writer’s Cramp
10-9-14