The house hums.
I can hear it better because
my room is above the heating unit
it's old and rattles
it cracks and drones
but sometimes it gets so shy that
I can't hear it over my laptop's fan
I worry it's finally gone
and left me cold in mourning.

When figures skulk in corners
and eyes emerge from the dark
late at night in the wee hours
the heating turns off but
I still hear him murmuring
holding me close in his abdomin
I can hear him best because
I'm the only one awake to listen.