I lie here.

Engulfed by darkness.

Cocooned in warmth.

Blanket chrysalis.

I breathe silence.

My eyes close,

I begin to fall.

Thats when I hear it.

The hollow cough that echoes through the wall.

Frustration fills my hollowed mind.

Temples throb.

Shutupshutupshutupshutupshutup.

BITCH.

The rasping coughs get louder.

A crescendo of wakefulness.

I imagine her.

Bent double behind the wall,

That divides us.

Choking back phlegm.

Nauseated.

Flecks of spittle clinging to her dry lips.

It stops.

And

Is replaced

By Brittle Banging.

Moans.

Has she taken a younger lover?

To smoothen her wrinkles.

Or

Is she in the throws of death?

Fitting.

Alone.

Until she slumps into eternal rest.

And then

I'll finally sleep.

Shit I'll feel bad if she's dead in the morning.