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Elizabeth Witte

Fictive Metamorphosis of American Frogs into Fishes

The legs away in stages imply mobility type A to B. The transition slow

to not amphibious any longer. We aren’t either

but we bathe occasionally in water. The nonstop tuberous begonia’s a risk

for powdery mildew--keep leaves as dry as possible. Do not soak or allow the sun

scorch. Let it not stop. Where is a perch, let it be also a path. The street machine digs

on the first hot day since winter.


The frog story is true from tiny. The fish in the end also--ready for his still life.

But the mutation point, the curve of impossible mid-form, interstitial

body blue, the arched spine and limbs withering.