Frog’s Breath

It’s a place of rare beauty and such eerie imagery
That hints of a different world, full of wizardry
The marshes in the dark of night, a haunting shadowed place
Where standing chicos hold the stars in naked arm’s embrace
It is not a place for the timid nor the weak of heart
From its misty shadows much fear does it impart
Fire-flies caught up in patches of swirling mist belie
Ghoul and phantom forms with green and blinking eyes
Cat-tails casting shadows by the pale light of the moon
Fading in and out of sight as the fog around them swoon
The ceaseless chirping of frogs keeping evil at its bay
And oppressive stench and rot of Mother Earth’s decay
If you look very deeply into the mist you may sight
Frogs lined up on lily-pads croaking to the night
Their warm breath mixing with the colder air outside
To create a dense cloaking fog in which they crouch and hide
If you venture into the swamps after it’s turned dark
It’s a magical mystical journey upon which you embark
The floating mist will envelope you, direction will be lost
Shapes will surround you, your mind they will accost
Walk on very carefully be cautious where you tread
As by the marshes spirits you are pulled and you are led
Just stay within the densest fog and show no fear this night
Let frog’s breath conceal you as it wraps around you tight

Brian Beaudry