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