Mr. Toad comes to call
I have a great fondness for amphibians. There is no reason for it that I can identify. Something about their squat lumpiness and agile leaping simply pleases me and soothes my soul. My yard is a haven for toads. They live in the garden and under the bushes. I've seen tiny toadlings, smaller than your fingernail, galumphing across my lawn.
Earlier in the Summer, I went walking in a wetlands area near my house with a few of my grandchildren. As we crossed the street to get there, we saw dozens of miniature toads bouncing on the pavement. Sadly, many of them must have perished there. As we walked the gravel path around the ponds, we had to watch our footsteps carefully to avoid stepping on the many miniature toads moving along there.
There were hundreds of these little toads everywhere along the path, and who can say how many thousands were hidden among the wild flowers. We did our best not to harm them, but I doubt that many live to be adults.
songs from my garden
each night of love and want
voice of a toad
~~::~~
Grandson Nate with a Toadling in Hand
my lovely wife - no
fan of toads - agrees that they're
better than chipmunks
You have a knack for haibun, Jazz. I enjoyed this post a lot.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lolly
DeleteWhat a nice story/haibun JzB. That first haiku is really gorgeous and in my opinion a masterpiece in the same sphere as the haiku by Issa. I love to use this one for a Tan Renga Challenge if that's ok.
ReplyDeleteKristjaan -
DeleteI would be delighted.
Cheers!
JzB
That was a heartfelt, sincere post and a very interesting read that I enjoyed a lot. The struggle of the toad...a new one, and written with fine compassion.
ReplyDeleteWhat a pleasant haibun, Jazz. Lighthearted and heartfelt at the same time.
ReplyDeleteI too love those toads. And those little ones are so special, and when they are crossing the road they perish en masse.. Sometimes in spring we go out and help them cross the road.
ReplyDelete