"The Frog Priests of Amherst, Virginia" by Dan Albergotti from BIRMINGHAM POETRY REVIEW

The Frog Priests of Amherst, Virginia

The frogs arranged themselves around the edge
of the pool during our night swim and stared.
They spaced themselves in such an even way
you might even be tempted to believe
in some holy symmetry of nature.
Then with hieratic solemnity
they began to croak, puffing out full throats.
We kept talking as we lounged on our floats,
pretending that we didn't even see
or hear those priestly frogs. I wasn't sure
if they wanted us to stay or to leave.
Blessing or exorcism, who's to say?
In the distance, some random fireworks flared
while we swam beyond saving and knowledge.

Copyright © 2025 Dan Albergotti All rights reserved
from Birmingham Poetry Review
Reprinted by Verse Daily® with permission

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