This House
through this house
through this house
the thief of peace comes hungry-eyed
some nights I hear him prowling by
his shadow crossing window glass
he looks inside, then he will pass
but tonight he came up to the door
stood where he used to stand before
his hand rose once, then fell away
he turned his shoulder toward the gate
but then he lingered, cocked his head
then turned again, reversed his tread
the wind picked up, the branches stirred
she softly hummed, he must have heard
something faint
something light
something living
in the night
I woke too late, and she was gone
I wept into the coming dawn
I wailed and wallowed in despair
anguish for what’s no longer there
I raged until the rage was tired
I grieved until the grief expired
I burned my eyes into the walls
until I could not feel at all
anger spent in my exhaustion
grief gave way to resignation
then the long and level sleep
of wanting nothing I can keep
perhaps this is the better fate
to want less now, to draw the shades
to bolt the doors, accept the test
and name this newfound silence ‘rest’
I keep one portion hidden still
a little piece neath the sill
locked in a safe behind a wall
where no one would ever recall
I take it out when no one knows
and hold it in my hands up close
taking from this little piece
shining hope of precious peace
tonight I feared he'd find it there
my little piece, my secret prayer
hidden twice and hidden deep
the only thing that lets me sleep
I checked the lock, I checked the wall
then slept assured I’d checked it all
but while I slept, someone else came
a presence with another name
no prowling foot across the floor
no hungry shadow at the door
no breath upon the window glass
no sign any earthly thing had passed
like a thief in the night, He came
I woke to find the house aflame
fire climbing wall to wall
flames rose red into the hall
I ran barefoot through the heat
through spreading soot beneath my feet
tore apart the hiding place
nothing there but empty space
the curtains burned, the rafters fell
fire rang the old doorbell
every room I tried to save
gave itself into the blaze
through this house
through this house