The Toad Less Travelled! Poem by Denis Martindale

I had a dream, and saw a toad, quite motionless, in fact,
Such that it never crossed the road and chose not to react,
A little blob that looked at me yet meant me no offence,
But then again, quite plain to see, it sought not to be friends.
I understood its point of view and hardly said a word,
Just kept my distance, as you do, that's why it seldom stirred,
It kept its beady eyes alert, not looking left or right,
And merely stayed upon the dirt, not seeking greater height,
While I was over five foot tall, the toad showed me no fear,
To me, that seemed a miracle, as I stood standing here.
'How long do you intend to stay? ' I asked that tiny thing.
It told me straight, without delay, I was imagining!

'Why not go back, inside your home? You hardly leave it now.
You stay inside and never roam. No time, no way, no how.
We're quite a pair, the two of us, I sit here all day long,
But when did you last take the bus? Tell me, is something wrong? '
So I explained the way things are, here in twenty-twenty,
And why, in lockdown, won't go far, in fact, I told it plenty.
At first, it thought this was some joke, but learnt that's not the case,
And so it nodded as I spoke, a sad look on its face.
'Oh, well, at last, I've come to know, so I'll be moving on! '
And all at once, was on the go, and with three hops was gone,
To leave me lonely, suddenly, outside, and on the road,
Walking home, once more, to safety, still jealous of that toad!


Denis Martindale. October 2020