The Cane Toad is an introduced species that is causing devastation to wildlife in northern Australia

O flattened one, lying dried out on the road,
Like an ancient parchment on the pavement:
Testament to the much-maligned life of a toad.

So why are we so haughty about one so warty?
Why so pompous about one not blessed with looks?
So, what if you are not streamlined, just a little portly.

And those scientists who named you Bufo marinus;
What cruelty to infer that you are anything like a ‘Boof’!
Oh, some blasphemers even call you a ‘bag of pus’.

Now if you were called ‘frog’ you wouldn’t be in a pickle;
Even though slightly ugly, you’d still be in our favour;
So, what is in a name? How can we be so fickle?

And like all creatures great and small, there’s an inner life,
A shining light, a Prince or hopefully Princess within;
I might even pucker up for a kiss - if you were still alive.

And if you were alive, I might stroke you in my hands;
But I have heard you have a potent potion portent:
A little rub might activate those venomous glands.

Now, with respect, you are a most successful invader,
And how we have admired the invader throughout time;
You are the Genghis Khan of amphibians - even Darth Vader!

O tortured one, focus of jest, pranks and all that kind,
Target of swerving cars, alternative for golf balls; 
In those famous words: ‘How can people be so unkind?’

Ah, from afar, I hear a croak, no joke it is your toady mate;
All is not lost: To love or to loathe? That is the question.
Hey, this crap won’t stop us workin’ out its final fate!

© Neil Dufty