I think taking into account the creative decisions involving rhythm and pacing, the piece as it stands is quite solid. It's perhaps a bit of a stretch/comparison to make but I find the overall flow is very reminiscent of Dr. Suess, (if Suess had adopted a more leaded and naturalistic style), and for that I found it very enjoyable.
That said, the term 'innocent mud' doesn't quite land. I struggle to articulate it but I think it boils down to the idea that mud is inert and directly assigning the term 'innocent' to it feels a little bit on the nose. It would work better if one showed a physical quality, which may require a little bit of modification of the preceding structure. But I don't think the change is that urgent, per se.
Ex: 'forever dappled by slick, speckling mud'
Additionally, I think the end sentence 'It had to be this way.' would come off as much much punchier if you spaced it out into its own line—as if you're placing a piece of wax or tying a ribbon on the sinking sort of finality that one catches a inkling of, when seeing the uglier side of nature. But other than those two, I have no other major critiques.
