Night Report

Pulled by the elbow

down the yellow-white hallway

She looks over her right shoulder

then her left

until she is stood in front of a window

            See Grace? Nothing's there

Her arm tugs free,

a brake released,

Nightgown and hair flow behind her

as she slips and slides with stockinged feet

to her room's window

She points her finger at the reflection

of her room

against the glass

The nurse, her lips, a straight line

Back to bed, her shaking hands placed under the sheet,

the blanket brought to meet her chin

          Close your eyes and relax now

She lifts the sides of her pillow over her ears

but still

the crackle of fire below

the slapping of small hands

against the window