By Douglas J. Lanzo
Copyright 2019  

First published in The Caribbean Writer, April 2020 Volume 34

Dedicated to my beloved kids, Gregory and Alexander

Of all remembrances from our recent trip,
My twin six-year olds recently let it slip,
That their highlight was not a fortress, jungle or beach,
Or indeed not a single thing outside their reach,

But rather iguanas intercepted by their tails,
As they meandered along lush hotel trails,
Or scurried for cover in bushes and trees,
spawning interest no rival sport could appease;

The thrill of kids’ grasping one that did tarry,
Pulling it back from verdant sanctuary,
Fortunate its tail did not elude their grip,
Or transform itself into strong-muscled whip.

Their close second item of sheer fascination,
Had nothing to do with manmade machination:
The mesmerizing chorus of the tiny Coquí (Co-kee),
Emanating from many a towering tree,

As species of Puerto Rico’s treasured tree frog,
Marked windswept nights with a soothing musical log,
Though spotted, photo’d and  nearly clasped in my hand,
These creatures knew how to evade and disband; Leaping when threatened from quick-clenching fist,
Out into grass – camouflaged – then out of our midst,
Adjudged the top wonders by tender-aged eyes,
Whose truthful sincerity nothing belies.