But sleep...not yet

I hear it scratching on the attic floor

yesterday it was still behind the wall

sometimes I think it’s all in my head

the sound that clatters in my chamber

then in the corner of my eyes I see

fingers that stretch and reach for me

eyes in the dark, a mouth wide open

rows of teeth like knives that cut

it whispers something I can’t explain

slippery words that look like snakes

in bed I search between the drapes

I close my eyes but sleep… not yet.

© Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere

16/10/2014