Lurking

I press my ear against a water glass,
keep my eye on the keyhole
to discover your secrets,
hoping your life will bleed
like the red sock
in the washing machine of my mind
and leave me stained.
It covers my skin
like a soft pink blanket
so even as I look in the mirror
there is evidence of you.

I am the clank in the heat register,
the creak in the floorboards,
the wind in the trees.
I peep in your window like Tom,
buzz like the fly on your wall.
I'm right there
with the dust bunnies under your bed.

Why should I get a life
when yours is right before me
all blatant?

You will never catch me.
No matter how many double takes you do
or booby traps you set
I will never trip them.
My professional precision will keep you
guessing,
looking over your shoulder
at nothing.

Comments: 16

Daniel S. Apr 8, 2007, 9:23pm EDT

And there I was, taking a bath,
when a cold, cold chill passed o'er me,
as if someone or some thing then
was silently looking at me.

At first I was tempted to laugh
at such a foolish little qualm,
but the fear returned yet again
and my heart was no longer calm.

I screamed out and vented my wrath,
but it came to naught, all in vain.
My wife appeared and ask just then
"Singing in the shower again?"

"Why no," I cried, "I felt a draft,
as if a ghost were watching me."
"I've seen you nude," my wife did grin,
"and what you have, no ghost would need."

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Ruth MacGill Apr 8, 2007, 9:51pm EDT

That is chilling! I'm glad to be lounging in my lounge chair surrounded by cuddly cats, and a big black dog at my feet who faithfully barks long and loud to let me know when I am supposed to be afraid.

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Lawrence U. Apr 8, 2007, 11:43pm EDT

Awesome. Thank you, Gretchen!

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Beth S. Apr 9, 2007, 12:03am EDT

Wow. That was freaky. I'm glad my only experience with it is on the page! :)

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Lori F. Apr 9, 2007, 12:54am EDT

Gretchen loved it. But I have to admit it made me feel like turning around to make sure noone was behind me.

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Carol Lloyd Apr 9, 2007, 1:47am EDT

love it very good

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Fred Hose Apr 9, 2007, 5:41am EDT

There goes another childhood memory. I never thought that Hansel and Gretchen would break up. Next thing I'll hear is that Snow White and her Prinve have divorced.

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Gretchen Lee Bourquin Apr 9, 2007, 6:15am EDT

ha ha, Fred-- the funny thing is, in Kindergarten I didn't like my name that much, and I went through a stage where I asked people to call me Gretel (really liked the story) eventually, I grew back into my own name.

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