Mr. Toad

We are writing these today over at dversepoets.com The Florette consists of two or more 4-line stanzas.  Rhyme scheme: a,a,b,a  Meter: 8,8,8,12  Fourth line requirement of internal (b) rhyme scheme, on syllable 8. Like the outgrowing of a small flower, the forth line of each stanza is longer, and enwraps the previous lines. Line #4 requires an internal rhyme scheme that rhymes the eighth syllable with the end of line #3, and continues to add on four more syllables than the other lines so that the fourth line ends rhyming with lines #1 and #2. Mr. Toad

I did not see you there at first

In your language, I'm not well-versed

You blended in with the wood chips

so uncannily, my parched lips cried out in thirst

We stared each other down awhile;

In shadows, I'm quite sure you smiled

Fell away pieces of my heart

I then began to fall apart, in the erstwhile

Fear evaporated like rain

You listened closely to my pain

as I wept, needing to confide,

and lay in my bed on my side to hide in vain

Moonshine fell on the ebbing tide

You led me in hope to abide

small waves pulled away at the neap

You said the time to leap is when dissatisfied,

Who knows from where some ropes are thrown;

you helped me see beyond the stone

wall where I was squarely grannied, 

stripped of all camouflage, harried and quite alone 

Courage now springs from fertile soil

where strange mushrooms grew through turmoil

You took me from the moat beneath,

my soul to a safe castle keep, my friend loyal