Q - Half

Half

Half-past four a.m.
I'm half-awake in the world again,
Creeping down to the kitchen for a drink of water,
Clutching my empty glass for support
Bleary eyes watch silence thorough the window
As she steals across the pre-dawn grass
And something in me laughs
I feel alive if not alert,
Hungering for my warm bed and my undisturbed sleep.
The world is slumbering,
The birds are not yet calling the dawn
Strange if I should chance to meet a creature of the night
Dragging themselves home on weary feet,
Taking a shortcut through the garden
I wonder if they would turn, hearing the drain gurgle,
Staring back at me through the glass,
Taking in my ancient T-shirt and my bare knees,
Who would be more startled? Who would be more scared?
My spine stiffens, my scalp tingles
Would I call 'good morning'?
Would I dare?