Under the dark silk
of water in this wetland,
fat-headed tadpoles are
wriggling in their aquatic jungle.
Pushing with broad, slippery tails
through layers of old, wet leaves.
Watching with tiny black eyes.
Settling into the soft silt.
Are they vegetarian;
do they like to eat that
bright green duckweed?
Or do they prefer the
more meaty
aquatic invertebrates?
I hold you briefly in the air;
can see you are stunned in
this foreign atmosphere.
Waiting for four legs
to sprout and grow;
for lungs to breathe
the free air
above the
ceiling of water.
© 2021 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
1. 2. 3. & 4. Home Woods Wetland - Cannonsburg, Michigan
