enigmatic animals
there seems to be a small animal stuck below the floor boards. it scratches violently in irregular intervals. mouse. bird. bat. i'm convinced one is going to jump out and attack if i open a dresser drawer so i refuse to get dressed this moring, instead i wear my rain boots "to protect me" from it's possible razor claws, teeth or both. my cats shark around the noise, crouching and waiting for it to emerge. but it won't. we've tried to find the source, moving furniture, opening every drawer door and cupboard, re-arranging elements to make way for escape but nothing. all night & day this noise is echoing through my room reminding me of impending death. i fall in and out of sleep and dream of it as a mouse with a bulldogs face hiding under my dresser. my cat catches and begins to eat it until i rescue it from the jaws.. pulling it from the throat. i carry the creature outside to freedom... but the walk is very far and the animal bites me, all over my hand there are tiny blood splatters. but i saved you from death i thought. i open my eyes again to the scratching realizing i can't save you no matter how hard the want and the effort is.... you will die and i will have to bare witness to the process.