Rocks Across a Stream
Free verse is just that, free! However, don't be afraid to play with a rule or two. Set the number of feet per line, or the number of lines per stanza, or repeat a word or phrase throughout, or use a single sound at the beginning of each line. The sky's the limit!
Rocks Across a Stream
By Annmarie Lockhart
Hop and a splash,
Look back to see the rock I stood on is gone.
Gone?
No time to bother now with that.
Destination: the other shore,
Up the bank, where it’s sunny and warm.
Another hop and another splash.
Look again. Another rock gone.
Gone!
Strange doings on these slippery rocks.
I think I’ll take a careful look
At this stone path to the shore.
Step cautiously now,
No hop nor splash. Instead I hear a snap.
Snap?
The rock has opened its mouth it seems,
And two eyes sit staring on top.
Since when have rocks grown teeth and eyes?
Hop again, but faster now.
And again another snap.
Snap!
Alligator head with a mouth slammed shut.
Are there alligators in New Jersey now?
Damn global warming to hell.
No time to lose, step carefully.
No splash nor snap, but a wink.
Wink?
Can’t hear a wink, but plain as day
The alligator I’d been standing on
Winked once, then twice, at me.
What step to take? The next, I guess,
For there’s nothing else to do.
Damn!
I wish I learned how to swim.
Although maybe not. For were I to swim
Gators would surely win. Now at least I have a shot.
Rocks Across a Stream
By Annmarie Lockhart
Hop and a splash,
Look back to see the rock I stood on is gone.
Gone?
No time to bother now with that.
Destination: the other shore,
Up the bank, where it’s sunny and warm.
Another hop and another splash.
Look again. Another rock gone.
Gone!
Strange doings on these slippery rocks.
I think I’ll take a careful look
At this stone path to the shore.
Step cautiously now,
No hop nor splash. Instead I hear a snap.
Snap?
The rock has opened its mouth it seems,
And two eyes sit staring on top.
Since when have rocks grown teeth and eyes?
Hop again, but faster now.
And again another snap.
Snap!
Alligator head with a mouth slammed shut.
Are there alligators in New Jersey now?
Damn global warming to hell.
No time to lose, step carefully.
No splash nor snap, but a wink.
Wink?
Can’t hear a wink, but plain as day
The alligator I’d been standing on
Winked once, then twice, at me.
What step to take? The next, I guess,
For there’s nothing else to do.
Damn!
I wish I learned how to swim.
Although maybe not. For were I to swim
Gators would surely win. Now at least I have a shot.
Posted by Annmarie at 6/15/2009 11:23 PM 
Categories: today's words, vox poetica originals
Tags: Annmarie Lockhart free verse
Categories: today's words, vox poetica originals
Tags: Annmarie Lockhart free verse
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