In the botanic garden one Mallard sculls among the Monet lilies and imported Victorian platters, water dyed black for contrast. Plants sorted, labeled–bonsai here, Italian herbs there, a botany buffet, bite of desert cacti, taste of yellow chrysanthemums same color as the yellow fire hydrant. A tea house, one red squirrel, some bees, a dozen koi in their own pond, one butterfly, Hundreds of humans “Stay on the Path.” Not all beauty is true. Recorded birds call from yellow boxes hidden in the tropical greenhouse.

Poisonous dart frogs / disarmed in captivity / living jewelry