the toads do not dive
they plop into the scummy pond
pale green bellies floating beneath them
like airbags
they paddle and back-stroke
through the weedy water
as slow as inflatable boats
when i visit them
i turn into a kid
lobbing pebbles into the spawny drink
to watch them scatter
they remind me of fat men
hastily departing a swimming pool
it is a joke i prank them with
i keep doing this
until they turn to glare at me
heads half-submerged
eyes bulging with indignation
once it began to rain heavily
raindrops crashed into the pond
like exploding peanut shells
.
the toads commenced to croak in unison
the noise almost drowning-out
the sound of the pelting rain
no doubt they were bidding me
to go drown somewhere
The light turned red, but she failed to stop,
She slammed my car, I felt the airbags pop.
I sat in silence, my ears, they were ringing,
Somewhere I swear, an angel was singing.
She walked away without scratch, they didn't take her,
But for me it is over, it's time to meet my maker.
I’m waiting for my mom to move.
She puts the car into drive.
My car had airbags.
The ones she grew up with didn’t.
Huh.
My mom is driving,
I wonder why she’s taking this weird route.
I never ask.
I’m waiting for the car to stop.
My mom could stop it at anytime.
At stoplights, she has to.
At fast food places, she doesn’t have to.
I don’t know why my mom won’t just let me…
I don’t know why my mom won’t…
The car is in drive.
The speed limit is 45,
But it’s always too slow, or sometimes it’s too fast.
I never ask why.
My mom is driving.
I’m an adult, but she drives anyway.
It was nice of her to drive.
So I can get some sleep in the car.
But first, I’ll write a poem.
the toads do not dive
they plop into the scummy pond
pale green bellies floating beneath them
like airbags
they paddle and back-stroke
through the weedy water
as slow as inflatable boats
when i visit them
i turn into a kid
lobbing pebbles into the spawny drink
to watch them scatter
they remind me of fat men
hastily departing a swimming pool
it is a joke i prank them with
i keep doing this
until they turn to glare at me
heads half-submerged
eyes bulging with indignation
once it began to rain heavily
raindrops crashed into the pond
like exploding peanut shells
.
the toads commenced to croak in unison
the noise almost drowning-out
the sound of the pelting rain
no doubt they were bidding me
to go drown somewhere
(continuation of Milt Hankin's Montgomery La Verve )
Seems that Monty hung off to the right,
and he held to that curve a bit tight
with gusto and verve
to tingle the nerves,
but there’s no happy endings tonight.
The police report didn’t seem right;
It said that 'e missed indy light?
He was so overjoyed,
his airbags deployed;
the wreckage was powdery, white.
Something slower than snails
More powerful than nuclear bomb.
The flame that eats out, leisurely
Not like what reduce to ash, on pyre.
Intentions unknown but desire clear.
Dressed in different garbs: tempting.
Undress it: seducing.
Taste it and go in a maze.
Elixir fills the airbags.
Settle there: an assassin in the body.
Time it seeks: to strike dead.
Make silent exit: through the nostrils.
Mission accomplished.
Ah! it was blissful feeling you.
Just one more time...one puff!
Oh when the cold lurks past our doors,
we gypsies love your heated seats.
Stars guide our weary hearts,
better yet, headlights show the streets.
We journey together,
one heartbeat echo’s for all.
My people voice together,
next stop, the nearest mall!
Charms of wisdom and luck,
sometimes ward off ghostly creatures.
Your airbags come standard,
among other safety features.
Labeled as thieves just for trying to find water,
canisters upon our backs in the burning sun.
Oh glory to the Caravan that comes with cup holders,
a Gypsies day can now be done.
Stop there Death! You can’t take me away.
You must come back another day.
There are too many things to do
Before I will go with you.
You can’t get me, if you make me ill
Because I’ll take a super pill.
I won’t die, in a car crash
My airbags will your death plan trash.
I won’t drown, when I fall from my boat
My Life Jacket will keep me afloat.
You can’t burn me in a Hotel fire
The Fire Brigade will damp your ire
A heat attack might stop it’s beat
But a triple by-pass gets me on my feet.
So Death! why don’t you just give up
Until my life has an empty cup?
Bang. Bang.. I think I’m dead
My wife just shot me in the head.
Death you are so sly
When you aim it is bulls-eye
I thought I had you all wrapped up
But now you’ve come and drained life’s cup
My wife insured me for millions more
When I passed your entrance door
Sadly, she did not know
The millions will to my mistress go.
I check my rear view mirror,
Is it safe to change my lane,
Side mirrors checked but its not clear,
Everything’s fogged by pouring rain.
I make my move and extreme pain,
Airbags explode streams of light,
Trails of yellow fire in my brain,
Sirens reel in the dark night.
Written by Lee Ramage
July 29, 2011
For Nette Onclaud’s “Hutain this One” contest
Won 6th place
Dedicated to my sister-in-law who just
had a near fatal accident.