Tadpoles Turn into Frogs

Tadpoles Turn into Frogs (Draft #2, 5/22/23)

 

The two daughters are far away now.

I told them to look past the reflection of the water-

to look through it so they could see the tadpoles beneath

with their fat heads and skittish tails, before they become frogs.

They tried and tried to catch them.

One felt the little guy wriggle against her hand.

My other daughter pinched a tail.

But they are down aways, down the creek now.

I reach my hand up to wave 

but they are already married and gone

and I am alone in this creek, back where I started. 

Only my hands, reaching through the water 

to grasp the tadpoles that always escape me.

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Tadpoles Grow Up (Draft #1, written on 5/21/23)

 

The two daughters are far away now.

I told them to look past the reflection of the water-

to look through it so they could see the tadpoles beneath

with their fat heads and skittish tails, before they become frogs.

They tried and tried to catch them.

One felt the little guy wriggle against her hand.

My other daughter pinched a tail.

But they are down aways, down the creek now.

I reach my hand up to wave 

but they are already married and gone

and I am alone in this creek.

Back where I started, not even a fishing pole to cling to.

Only my hands.