Toads

This poem uses toads as a metaphor for certain aspects of life. One toad, work, "squats" on life, soiling with its "sickening poison." The other toad is the complete opposite of the previous toad. As much contempt as the speaker has for the first toad, he has this second toad to combat the work toad. This toad, which I thought to be motivation, sits inside of him. I think it is not explicitly identified so the reader can draw his or her own conclusions about this second toad with haunches as "heavy as hard luck and cold as snow." This cold drive allows the speaker to tolerate the work toad. He says "it's hard to lose either, when you have both," and I agree. When one has motivation, the do not lose their work ethic. Although the speaker expresses his apparent distaste for work, I find it ironic; I think he is actually a hard worker who appreciates the toil of labor. He probably truly does not appreciate those he mentioned avoiding the work toad.