Scream

A scream in the night

is not meant to be a warning,

but you check the front door lock and dial 911

You sit behind the curtain

stare through the crack into the dark

and wish you were brave enough to go outside

You wait for blue lights

that seem as if they’ll never come

but they do

You pull on shoes

go outside

and eavesdrop for a bit

You volunteer it was you

who heard the scream and called police

and feel brave in the retelling

When neighbors disperse

you go back inside

check and recheck the front door locks

Sit behind the curtain

stare through the crack into the dark

and wish…

11-7-21