Richard Wilbur describes in detail the movements and actions of a toad after a horrible event has taken place. Wilbur is able to accomplish bringing forth emotions from readers about a toad by incorporating imagery, diction, and syntax to dramatize the event of a toad being attacked by an overpowering lawn mower. The toad in this poem is inevitably condemned to death, as seen in the first line. The toad is "caught" by the power mower. The very first line foreshadows the fate of the toad. Narrowly escaping the lawn mower, the toad's leg is "chewed" and "clipped" as though the mower was a carnivore out looking for prey. After escaping the mower, the toad, "hobbling" to the garden is trying to find a safe place. In the "garden verge" under the cineraria leaves the toad finds solace. It is peaceful there, and he simply lies down and prepares to meet his fate. While the toad is in his last moments of life, Wilbur brings forth images of the toad in his daydream. The toad travels "toward misted and ebullient sead" and "cooling shores" to what is described as "Lost Amphibian's Empire," or as what can also be seen as Toad Heaven. It is very nice where the toad daydreams he is, and as the "daylight is steer[ed]," so is the unfulfilled life of a young toad, who was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. The toads life was cut short by the overpowering lawn mower, however things like that happen to toads every day and life goes on. Although Wilbur uses imagery and diction to describe the toads final hours, he really does not incorporate his own emotion into the poem. and thus is not surprised or sad at all about the death of a toad. The reader evokes his or her own emotions, and are free to see it however they please. .
