Wednesday, May 01, 2013

Is It My Window?

Is It My Window?

It's 11 PM
It must be cold, it must be dark
My house is warm, soft and safe
My children asleep
I’m turning in
When all at once
I hear the sound
A small, soft tap
Again and again
My heart starts to pound
Is it my window?

It’s 11:05 PM
It’s turned cold, it’s very very dark
My house feels frail, the windows look stark
I am a mother with little children
So I must be brave
I creep outside and find you there
Sitting in your car
A few yards away
With a thread to the coin,
coin taped to my window
Laughing at my terror
It’s just a prank do you say?
Oh yes! I can see you
But do you see me?
My confusion?
My fear?
To tape that coin, would any window have worked tonight?

Or is there more to your laugh than I am able to hear?
Do you know I visit temples or mosques or churches?
Have you watched me and know I have sun splashed arms?
Or have you heard my voice lilt with accented charm?
Did you notice my name on the plate out front?

It’s 11:10 PM
I’m scared tonight
Not for your silly pranks and smiles
But for the thoughts that ricochet in my mind
All I need to know as I stand barefoot on my porch
Would any window have worked to tape your coin, young one?
Or is it only my window that beckons you tonight?