Sounds of Disquiet

It’s 1:44 and the house is humming.

You’re alone and crackle the icemaker startles you.

Pour water into a glass, delicate and melodious

Clink front teeth trying to kiss the rim

Glug glug half the glass

Are there whispers?

Are there whispers?

Can you hear them?

Trudge back to your room.

Hush-hush socks dragging on carpet

Click door latches shut, muted

The mattress groans as you give it your weight

Rustling sheets nestle around your hips and calves, whispered fabric giggles

Scratch thoughts on the inside of your skull, scritch-scratch

Scritch-scratching-hissing out

You forgot to take note of when the walls fell silent.

Was it before you stopped to listen? Or

was it after?