frogs vs. kings

i see

my neighbor deflating his green frog

costume that he

wore to the No Kings parade

down main street.

he seems happy,

sweaty and tired, but happy.

good march, i ask him,

as he slips out of the rubbery

green blow up skin.

oh, he says, it was wonderful,

i think we actually changed the world,

made this place

a better place to live in.

his voice is hoarse

from all his screaming and chanting.

carefully he takes off his green

crocs and rubs

the blisters on his feet.

wow, i tell him, that's great.

so what's next on the agenda?

when is the next protest slash parade?

hmmm.

not sure, he says. i have to wait

until i get an e-mail from

the organizers on the dark web.

but i'm having my frog costume ready

to hit streets again,

i just need to wash it down,

i tripped and fell into

a pile of dog doo along the way.

but hey, it's part of the sacrifices

we make.

you should march with us next time,

he says.

ummm.

no thanks,

i actually have a real life and fun

stuff going on.

i prefer not to waste my time

on stupid stuff,

like what you do.