Our Friends the Frogs

Lend an ear and lend a hand

The frogs are all in such demand!

They clean our water and eat bad bugs

And give us clues for medical drugs.

Their state of health can tell us a lot

Like if it’s too toxic, too cold, or too hot!

It’s a remarkable thing, that permeable skin,

That lets not only water but chemicals in.

But one thing that’s giving us all such a scare

Is that many frog species are no longer there.

And what’s even worse, than that many are extinct,

Is to top it all off, that it looks like we’re linked!

All that damage we’ve done, like cutting down trees,

Polluting our forests and rivers and seas,

Has put our friend in a bad position

And so I ask you to join me in this mission

To save our friends in the forest and lake,

We’ve got to hurry, there’s so much at stake!

Concealed Colors

Oh please,

Pay no attention to me.

I'll just sit back here,

All quiet-like,

And continue to pull all the strings.

The world's a complicated place,

And Mama didn't raise a fool,

So go on and do your living

Within the lines and rules.

As for me,

I see my path,

A doodle sprawling out.

Coloring outside the lines

Creates an interesting pic no doubt.

But the world isn't ready yet

For my personal kind of art,

And if I were to subject myself

I just might fall apart.

We have a habit

Of writing off

The brilliant and unique.

We label them "bizarre" and "odd"

And disregard what they think.

I would rather wait and bide my time

With a mask upon my face

And get the work I have here done

Than be elbowed into place.

As much or more

Can be achieved

From working behind the scenes,

And it's a role far more secure

Than to be in the midst of things.

A Bird in my Hand

I held a bird in my hand

Palms cupped together

Fingers interlaced

While he shivered

Heart beating faster

Almost throbbing

As instinct fought to free him

From the cage

--No matter how gentle--

He found himself in.

I opened my hands

And he took to the sky

A jagged bullet

Outline clear against

The ethereal blue

As nature prevailed

Over tentative nurture

And his wings beat faster

Than his heart.

A Conversation between the Mind and Heart

'Take my hand,' she says to me.

'I'll take you far from here.

Where the winds are gentle

And the skies are blue and clear.'

'I cannot,' I reply.

'There is so much left to do.

I cannot leave the life I have

To sail away with you.'

'Have some faith,' she implores.

'Come away with me.

The moon and stars shine brighter

When you let your soul be free.'

'But I'm afraid,' I whisper.

'I've never left before.

I've heard of all these dangers;

Of sadness, sickness, war.'

'Do not fret,' she entreats.

'There is beauty out there too.

Love and hope and happy things

Are waiting just for you.'

The Student

She leans her head in her hands

Eyes closed, brow furrowed

She pulls her fingers back to her temples

To massage the stress away.

She slouches over her desk

Silhouette illuminated weakly

By the small flourescent lamp

Perched beside her on the table top.

Her laptop glows dimly

Reflecting in her skin and eyes

A subtle, unhealthy tinge

Of pale yellow or grey.

This is how she ends her days.

Coffee Cup

She puts the coffee cup to her lips

And breathes deeply in the earthy scent

The steam circling her chin

And fogging her glasses

As she wraps both hands loosely

Around the old, chipped mug

Cradling it close to her chest

For the warmth and comfort

Only a coffee cup can provide.

American Dream

The sun beats down

Hot on her pale neck

As she pauses and brushes away

A single droplet of sweat

Not a cloud to be seen

Nor a breeze to be felt

As she adjusts her sleeves

And tightens her belt

She pulls the brim of her hat

Down over her eyes

Yanks on her pant-leg

Glued by sweat to her thighs

A strand of hair escapes

And curls above her ear

She's never once forgotten

Why it is that she came here.

Beauty in the Eye of the Beholder

If beauty is in the eye of the beholder,

Are the standards of today a consensus?

Does everyone really agree as to

What's out and what's in

Glamour versus sin

Too fat versus too thin?

Or, if beauty is in the eye of the beholder,

Are the standards of today chosen by the few?

For lack of better words,

Do the "bolder" beholders make the rules to be "cool"?

If that's the truth, then all I can say is bravo.

Bravo to the few who have built up a following

Around a ludicrous and fictitious calling.

Bravo to the masters and mistresses of fashion

Who have stirred the public into a passion

Over maxis and minis and halter bikinis

And florals and stripes and leggings and tights.

And I don't mean to criticize fashion

As an expression of creativity.

But emphasizing what we wear

Reeks of widespread naivete

When the system in place seems to be based

On capitalizing on our fears and flaws

And shoving them in our face

Over and over again...

At a seasonal pace.

And it's high time we say,

That's not okay.

You Knew Why The Caged Bird Sings (Maya Angelou Tribute)

You knew why the caged bird sings.

Your words whispered to me

From pages written in ink

But made with blood.

You told me

It's not where you come from

That defines you.

You reminded me

It's not other people's choices

That bind you.

Your words offered comfort

Strength and understanding

For a young woman

Struggling to know herself

In a world that knows her

By a profile picture

And a status update.

Where life can't be made of

Carefully chosen photos

And Googled quotes.

Where friendships have to be

Forged and cultivated

Not "tagged" as if claiming

"We're friends! We're exclusive!"

"Look how much fun we're having!"

You brought your problems to the table.

You sat them down and addressed them.

You took your past and present hand-in-hand

And walked with them into a future

Of your own creating.

And you told to me to do the same.