in the night

in the night 

There in the corner something

scurry scratching, scrabbling 

my breath coming in short 

pants .. I restrain them .. 

In the sudden stillness

a cricket sings outside 

or closer, always  hard to tell 

There in the corner by the 

ceiling something flutters

wings flicker fast across

my eyes swallowed by 

the navied night 

There in the corner across the room

high up where I cannot see – 

chirrup, chirrup, chirrup, chirrup

rat, mouse, wounded bird .. 

damaged soul?

Its pain screams quietly 

ending all possibility of sleep