curried parsnip á-la-mode
you’ve been sleeping with a toad
take a whiff: you need a rinse
ten bucks the toad was not a prince

toad, or goblin: there is no crown
you are a vendor in a town
what, really, did you expect
this silly animal to project:

a life of luxury, to live in style?
a bejeweled husband in the bed?
turn out the lights, and think a while:
is your cookbook worth its bread?

what might you serve, instead,
to turn a toad into a mouse?
or, a man who could fund a house?
it does not matter how incred-

electric lights, no fumes of kerosene
if only before, in a dream,
could you have danced before dusk:
all such fancies that were repressed.

feed the toad a cricket stew, and ween
it off the roots and cream,
and, from out of its green husk,
a dark hot slimy, barely dressed

creature from beneath — go back!
you say — i never wanted you!
but, my darling, light me up –
here, she grabs for her lantern

and shines it in his face, one a kitten
would not embrace; anew,
you would judge me for what i lack;
but, i will keep you just the same

i will drink you from a cup,
if by dusk you are not smitten
with the most famous prince of all –
here, he puts her in a sack

she rolls into a pathetic ball,
and he grabs her by the head.
your face! so many others are more tame!
you will like me; your heart will burn

curried parsnip á-la-mode
you’ve been sleeping with a toad
take a whiff: you need a rinse
ten bucks the toad was not a prince

toad, or goblin: there is no crown
you are a vendor in a town
what, really, did you expect
this silly animal to project:

a life of luxury, to live in style?
a bejeweled husband in the bed?
turn out the lights, and think a while:
is your cookbook worth its bread?

what might you serve, instead,
to turn a toad into a mouse?
or, a man who could fund a house?
it does not matter how incred-

electric lights, no fumes of kerosene
if only before, in a dream,
could you have danced before dusk:
all such fancies that were repressed.

feed the toad a cricket stew, and ween
it off the roots and cream,
and, from out of its green husk,
a dark hot slimy, barely dressed

creature from beneath — go back!
you say — i never wanted you!
but, my darling, light me up –
here, she grabs for her lantern

and shines it in his face, one a kitten
would not embrace; anew,
you would judge me for what i lack;
but, i will keep you just the same

i will drink you from a cup,
if by dusk you are not smitten
with the most famous prince of all –
here, he puts her in a sack

she rolls into a pathetic ball,
and he grabs her by the head.
your face! so many others are more tame!
you will like me; your heart will burn

curried parsnip á-la-mode
you’ve been sleeping with a toad
take a whiff: you need a rinse
ten bucks the toad was not a prince

toad, or goblin: there is no crown
you are a vendor in a town
what, really, did you expect
this silly animal to project:

a life of luxury, to live in style?
a bejeweled husband in the bed?
turn out the lights, and think a while:
is your cookbook worth its bread?

what might you serve, instead,
to turn a toad into a mouse?
or, a man who could fund a house?
it does not matter how incred-

electric lights, no fumes of kerosene
if only before, in a dream,
could you have danced before dusk:
all such fancies that were repressed.

feed the toad a cricket stew, and ween
it off the roots and cream,
and, from out of its green husk,
a dark hot slimy, barely dressed

creature from beneath — go back!
you say — i never wanted you!
but, my darling, light me up –
here, she grabs for her lantern

and shines it in his face, one a kitten
would not embrace; anew,
you would judge me for what i lack;
but, i will keep you just the same

i will drink you from a cup,
if by dusk you are not smitten
with the most famous prince of all –
here, he puts her in a sack

she rolls into a pathetic ball,
and he grabs her by the head.
your face! so many others are more tame!
you will like me; your heart will burn