Wednesday, April 13, 2016

DMC: "The Frogs" and "The Alligators and Herons" by Linda Baie




THE FROGS

When frogs jump in the pond,
they glide the undulating ripples
to make a meal, or two or three—
might be a dragonfly that’s due,
one creature striding. Tongue snaps, zap.
They haven’t any way to tell
who might become a tasty meal.
When hunting from a rock,
the alligators and herons blue,
quick to grab and gorge.
Beware the needs of pond drinkers.  
 


THE ALLIGATORS AND HERONS

Beware the needs of pond drinkers—
quick to grab and gorge:
the alligators and herons blue,
when hunting from a rock.
Who might become a tasty meal?
(They haven’t any way to tell.)
One creature striding—tongue snaps, zap—
might be a dragonfly that’s due
to make a meal, or two or three.
They glide the undulating ripples
when frogs jump in the pond.

© 2016 Linda Baie. All Rights Reserved.



In celebration of National Poetry Month, Marilyn Singer has challenged us to write poems inspired by the word "echo." Click HERE for more details.

Send your poem to TodaysLittleDitty (at) gmail (dot) com, or use the contact form in the sidebar to the right. All contributions will be included in a wrap-up celebration on Friday, April 29th, and one lucky participant will win a copy of her fantastic new collection of reverso poems based on Greek myths:





18 comments:

  1. Hello creative Linda! You had me at "alligators!!!" Much fun with the web of life here.

    Michelle, appreciations to you for the joy, ideas, insights always found here at
    Today's Little Ditty.

    Happy Springtime!

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  2. Wow! I am always in awe of these reverso poems. Well done, Linda! And thank you, Michelle. xo

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  3. Nice job, Linda! I wouldn't even know how to start on a reverso!

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  4. Well done, Linda - they're not easy, but so very satisfying when completed!

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  5. Not only did you tackle a very difficult form, Linda, but I love the ominous mood you created, danger lurking with every splash. Wonderful job!

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  6. Linda, you have certainly conquered this challenge! And made me consider my own mortality, along with the frogs and dragonflies. :)

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  7. Well done, Linda! You set yourself a daunting task--and succeeded!

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  8. Thanks to all, and always to Michelle for the challenges. This was much fun to try, so thanks to Marilyn, too. I just got Echo, Echo from the library!

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  9. What a juicy bunch of words Linda uses ("undulating," "gorge," "zap," "glide")! Terrific.

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  10. Linda: Yes, this form is daunting and you grabbed it and gorged! Good for you!

    Karen

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  11. Wow! You did a reverso! Awesome! I want to re-read this again. Your word choice places me right there. But am I a frog or the alligator?

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  12. Wonderful poem I love that way you began and ended with the frog I will have see if I can fined this book at my library

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  13. Love the ominous unknown, a great reverse, journey poem, bravo! Thanks for the trip by the pond, I can hear the critters snapping...

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  14. Thanks again everyone, made me wish I lived near water all the time!

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  15. Wow! I'm so impressed. Reversos are hard!

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  16. Yes - Impressive to tackle! Love the way you conjure up danger in simple words and lines, Linda. Gulp.

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  17. I missed this - too much going on this past week. I'm in awe of your reverse poem! Looking forward to reading Echo Echo. I just picked it up at the library this week.

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