we went to catch tadpoles today

but there was a fence around the pond

with a sign that said:

"please don't catch the tadpoles, even with the intent to release them. the frogs are all endangered, which threatens all the herons.

and when the herons are gone what animal will thrill you with it's visage

standing in the muck-filled ditches on the sides of the freeway

while you speed past

crushing insects under-tire?"