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Wednesday, April 13, 2022

the emperor and the frog


by horace p sternwall



a frog went down to the station
to handle a few pans
and there he saw the emperor
and his adoring fans

the press was all around him
with their flashbulbs going off
but who am i , the frog bethought
who am i to scoff?

if i were he, and he were i
i would nothing of it think
i would accept the love of the world
like a cool refreshing drink

maybe he will throw me a nickel
if i get close enough
i will settle for a lousy dime
if the going gets rough

i remember my friend the penguin
handing out pamphlets in the rain
to shake the earth’s foundations
but i never saw him again

the frog approached the station
and slithered through the crowd
he had a million things to say
but none of them aloud

a sudden cloud passed overhead
and the crowd evinced a groan
and the frog and the emperor
were left all alone

the emperor had nought to say
but the frog retained a smile
and broke the ominous silence
in his inimitable style

remember how we used to walk
along the seashore bright
my hat fell down across my eyes
and your shoes were too tight



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