April 2025/ Editor: McKenzie Lynn Tozan
The trail to the pond was beckoning
wave of willow branches
chirp of grasshoppers
I wandered down
rubber boots and raincoat
the water, still and gray
reflecting the full clouds above
Sitting on the bench
mist against my face
I breathed in the smell of wet skunk cabbage
A sudden ripple from the other bank
A frog, legs long and lanky
swimming towards me without fear
He hopped ashore, water dripping
from his emerald skin
joined me on the bench
I looked at him
He looked at me, then he took a deep breath and said
Want to play leapfrog?
I nodded, yes
and jumped right in
