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Carmen Barbone

©2011

Carmen Barbone readingThe Toad Conciliation

Well, look at you
All snuggled in under my newly planted day lily
Oh, little toad, let me take you to a wild garden
We’ll both be happier

Oh, you’re back
You have reclaimed your home
You can call my lily your abode
We became cohabitants, the little green guy and I.

But then, I killed him twice

I decided to take control of the grass and mowed
Admiring my freshly groomed lawn, I spotted him
Belly up and bleeding – a thin stream from his mouth

I cried
I tried to pick him up
He jolted
I grabbed sharp garden shears

I looked away
I stabbed him
I silenced his pain

He killed me twice