Jim Nason - Metamorphing Frog

Where the lake has lapped
onto rock, where the storm
has dropped a puddle,
a lopsided frog
with full back legs
and tiny front fins
bobs in the water.  Bumpy
green-brown back of mud,
one bulging eye that looks
like it may topple out.  

Yesterday we discussed
slipper-shaped limb-buds
and thalidomide, embryology class
and the steady nerves required
to dissect a formaldehyde baby.
We talked about the nature of Soul —
logical mind understands it
as the red-vein, blue-vein muscle;
emotional mind feels it as a warm spot
of light in the chest or throat.
We want nature in balance, not this
one-eyed frog looking up — humble
creature, helpless to swim away.