A frog on a leaf, so still and serene,
Surrounded by waters, cool and green.
The chirp of crickets, the only sound,
In this peaceful world, it’s safe and profound.
The pond, its home, a familiar sight,
Where it’s always been, day and night.
But deep inside, a longing grew—
What lies beyond, a world anew?
One day, it leaped with hope and grace,
To find that world, a brand-new place.
It jumped and leaped, with joy so wide,
Until it saw the river, vast and wide.
With all its might, it plunged inside,
Into the river, with nothing to hide.
But soon it learned, as it swam along,
The river’s life was not where it belonged.
It tried to bring the pond to the stream,
To show the river its perfect dream.
But the waters were different, the air was strange,
And nothing felt right, nothing would change.
Its croaks echoed, disturbing the peace,
In the river’s calm, no joy, no release.
Its big eyes missed the beauty so near,
Unsettled, it leapt with growing fear.
Back and forth, it jumped in despair,
Searching for the pond, but it wasn’t there.
The river and pond, both lost in time,
The frog’s journey no longer sublime.
It couldn’t float, nor find its way,
Caught in a dance of endless dismay.
Croaking and jumping, never to rest,
A life of longing, never at best.

-By STPPMIOC Member