My ruthless landlady ripped hedge and trellis 
from the next-door fence, which wrecked 
the peaceable habitat of the tree frogs I loved to hear—
and of course could never see, no matter how long 
I stared, standing inches away from the sound. 

Hence my gratitude, just now, when I heard 
one, lone, lorn frog voice coming from the skimpy 
remnants of the foliage that used to cover 
the fence with splendid hiding places 
for small green beings. 

The one I can hear is still invisible. 
Which is quite prudent for a minute amphibian 
under the circumstances. 

Annie Stenzel

(she/her) is a lesbian poet who was born in Illinois, but did not stay put. Her second full-length collection, Don’t misplace the moon, was published last year by Kelsay Books. Her poems have appeared or are forthcoming in print and online journals in the U.S. and the U.K., including Atlanta Review, Gavialidae, Night Heron Barks, ONE ART, Rust + Moth, Saranac Review, Sheila-na-Gig, SoFloPoJo, SWWIM, The Lake, Thimble, and UCity Review. A poetry editor for the online journals Right Hand Pointing and West Trestle Review, she lives on unceded Ohlone land within walking distance of the San Francisco Bay.

Author’s website: https://www.anniestenzel.com