Night Scented Stock

 

tick

 

unfamiliar room

in a strange bed

full of creaks

eyes heavy lidded

from restless sleep

shadows dance

in corners

at the edge

of your peering.

silence hisses

as the house groans

branches prise

at the window frame

scratching out

their insistent cravings

in regular tattoos

heartbeat racing

breath explodes

in the cold air

momentarily casting

ghosts from lungs

screaming to be freed

from the gripping

of your chest

a slither

a whisper

a sigh

a groan

only some of these

things are yours

in the nightmare room

at the top of the stairs

round the dark alcove

past the grandfather clock

by the dusty mirror

something steps

from the mud dark recess

of a corner

and the child

with the vivid

imagination

feels the warmth

spread and chill

against flannelette

and as the demon

slips away

the heavy steps

of someone

who will not

understand

treads upon

the stairs

with accusing

thuds

drawing close

and switching

the light on

 

tock……