Atone

In darkness I try to catch some sleep.
I reach my hand, fingers splayed,
Touch the tassels of my pillow.
But cannot pull it in.
Awake.

Breathing echoes off the walls,
Breezes crawl beneath the sheets.
Dogs bark at the moon and stars outside.
Itchy skin to scratch.
Aware.

Footsteps down the corridor,
Scuff along the floorboards,
As if they're at home.
Was it the moon?
Alert.

Snap of the lock, creak of the door.
Grunt of a man hiding the devil.
A glint in the dark, sharp and pointed,
Tells my teeth to chatter.
Afraid.

Then like a cat through darkened alleys,
Redemption slinks into my sight.
Silver sparkle falls on me, I scream.
But no sound can spell
Atone.