Water’s Call

when I was young

at our remote mountain house

a dark hole scooped from the clearing

paved and filled by hoses

called the frogs by thousands

drowned the night with wavering screeches.

I listened and wondered

how did they get there?

how did they know?

that moment a frog paused

smelled cool water miles away

then turned and hopped alone

across the dry leaves of the forest