Holly Day

The Footsteps Overhead

at night
the thud of the dishwasher upstairs
sounds like voices. I crank
the baby monitor
way up, listen for monsters
in my daughter's room.

sometimes
I hear something on the back porch
behind my head
can almost see
the deranged face pressed up against the glass
hands ready to smash through
I won't turn around.

if I just pretend
everything's all right
it will be.
If I cover my ears
and close my eyes
it'll be all right.

{Poem by Holly Day}