4:52

They’re locking down the North

Restricting movement in Madrid

The edge of a storm rattles fences

Streetlights halo through swaying trees

The clock reads 4:52

Floorboards betray secret footsteps

Toilet doorknob, now the hinge

Heavy soles on vinyl

The latch clicks home

Silence

Door against the jamb

No flush

Floorboards

Another gust

Exhaled smoke is snatched away

The butt dies in mid-arc

Pull the window closed

Try again