As everyone sleeps the night

comes alive with sound

the walls creak pipes murmur

clock beats away sleep

the fridge motor competes

with snoring from the bedroom

and wins as it rises a pitch

the heaters expand cold air crackles

power lines buzz or is it beetles?

A neighbor drives up at 3 a.m.

headlights piercing through blinds

the engine chortles and dies

the outer door heaves open and

closes with a sigh.

Heavy shoes rush up and are silenced

by a carpet upstairs and footsteps shuffle

to bed complaining with loud creaks.

The cold seeps under the door

through the walls to fingers and feet

fighting the heat from a body

nearing defeat waiting for the morning

to put the night to sleep.

© Cindy Lapeña, 2012

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