Unpleasant Necessity Poem by Adrianne Quinlan

Gurgling, squirming
Little pink frog upside down,
Newly giggling, kicking,
Limbs lengthening, strengthening,
You grow up beautifully brown.

You teeter and totter,
And tumble to my delight
And absolute horror and fright.

Where at first each step was a falter
Your pace begins to alter
And your steps grow firm and sure.

Now, touching and tasting,
You reach out for things dear to you.
Know that those things,
To mother, are dear, too.

Luxurious treats of false indulgence,
Growing from unpleasant necessity
(Not blots or blights) ,
Lead you to false heights of discovery.

Comfortable toad, spitting venom,
Enjoy your years of plenty,
As you sit and hum.
And as you begin your journey
Make your own sum!

And if it is the will of He-Who-Rations
That you should acquire abundance,
See to it that your children
Get a meager share.

And lend a body to the children of plenty,
For behind them, in agony,
Hungry mothers wait.