Banjo Frogs

the praying mantis bats his arms in a flitting motion

— at the moment, five sparrows let five defecatory deposits drop

DA CAPO

seventeen banjo frogs arranged in the mud in three double-u patterns,

one of them a little asymmetrical

fill their lungs with air — hold, hold — 

the praying mantis, doubled over, as though struck by a swatter

seventeen notes

seventeen notes three octaves — perfect harmony — hold that note, down three, one, two three — 

the praying mantis makes an X motion and bows his head in chiastic glee — a pause, who’s next?

GIOCOSO

the mantis’ arms are stretched wide, the duet — two mosquitoes — 

love duet, standing on the tips of their six legs, wings whirring — 

mantis is twitching uncontrollably, the two winged voices whir, one after another after another after another — hold in unison, one, two, three —

duh duh duh DUH duh duh duh DUH DUH BUHM

mantis is hopping upside down, right and left to the percussion 

woodpecker frantically head bopping against the tree as one bat soprano takes a deep breath

VIVACE

invisible solo, flickering, flickering, bouncing off the trees and leaves

and breaking the glass and

bowling over the mantis 

DA CODA — 

mantis rights himself, missing an antenna — we’ll replace the strings later — 

some jabby movements of the two front legs — 

it’s time for the ultrasonic solo, 

the moth clears her throat, emerging from behind a withered hyacinth, she’s been waiting for this moment — 

everyone huddles three centimeters around her, for the sound is so soft it can’t carry —  then 

TUTTI — eight of the banjo frogs, four little notes

— four more mosquitoes join, hovering just over the tenor a few octaves high

mantis is furiously dancing, one back leg missing, remaining antenna skewed over one eye —

bat and moth sharing mezzo and coloratura

weaving in and out — 

and from the woodpecker — duh duh DUH duh duh DUH, DUH DUH 

BUUUUUHHHHHHHHMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM