They could have heard us
those frogs floating in the swamp
lobeless ears vibrating like drumheads
they would not understand
even though I've seen them grasp each other
in that way frogs do
mindless of the other's presence.

Somewhere, deer listend without knowing
ears cupped unerringly towards sounds
vaguely familiar in their season of autumn passionm
Memories unable to hold it.

Only the coyote knew
pacing the fenceline, he stopped cold
barked once and whirled around
in that moment, hunger left him
as he pawed at the ground, turned tail
and ran into the night.