at night

at night when the windows
shimmer black
and there is a sound,

not quite defined.
the dogs bark, and whine
the cat looks alarmed.

the phone rings,
breathing -
and nothing else

the lights go out,
darkness surrounds me
and I listen,

crouching
down,
waiting,

then impatiently
jumpng up for
the flashlight,

going to get
the gun that's
locked in my safe.