Ode to Frogs and Empty Nesters

Soon after a tadpole gets

four legs and ten webbed toes,

it goes ker-splash from the family log,

a reed-green audacious bullfrog.

Lessons it learned should now suffice

for grownup in-the-swim of life;

Mom ribbits for good nutrition,

proud Dad swells at kid’s transition.

Child departs with fully-formed lungs,

leaving meal on mom’s sticky tongue;

tadpole time is now finito

so must catch its own mosquito.

Though folks miss their adult offspring,

have freedom now to do their thing:

stretch out in roomy dive for soaks,

perfect their own creative croaks.