Once, when walking down the road,
Inadvertently I stepped on a toad
It’s brain oozed out where it’s eyes had been
And was that peculiar thing its spleen?

Did toads have spleens,
I wondered aloud - 
It was tricky to tell
With it spread on the ground

So I checked my shoe with caution and care
What if some bits of toad were still there?
Did it have a family? Would there be strife?
What if this toad had ten kids and a wife?

Would there be a vendetta?
Would I soon live in fear?
Could the toad population 
Discover me here?

Surreptitiously I glanced about
To see if any other toads were out.
The road was empty, the coast was clear, 
I made my move -  I’m out of here!

© Victoria Bright, 2007