By Leo Josefina (IG: @leo_josefina82)
Previous: "The Woods"
At night, brushing my teeth, I stare out the window. Out at the abyss of dirt and rock, weeds and cactus. The hills stare back at me, just beyond my neighbor’s house.
There’s nothing there, I tell myself, as I squint and try to prove the opposite. There’s nothing but coyotes and mountain lions, and maybe someone’s cat who will not make it home tonight.
At night, the darkness stares back at me, searching for me. Something wriggles out there in the night, trying to take shape. Two eyes try to look back at me, two eyes try to find me.
And there’s nothing there, and we both know that, the foothills and I. As I brush my teeth and I feel toothpaste dripping down my chin, I end our staring contest, returning to the bathroom.
At night, bright light dots my vision, far enough away to not quite see what lurks behind it. Behind stucco and adobe walls, they are hiding away in cozy homes.
There’s someone out there, someone looking for something in this abyss. They know what few know. A small cat skitters across my feet, somewhere out here. It, too, will learn.
At night, I stare up at houses far away. I stare up at a window, licking my lips. Out there, just beyond all of my dirt and rocks, I see two eyes looking down at me. Two eyes trying to find me.
There’s nothing there, I tell myself, as I squint and try to prove the opposite. There’s nothing but coyotes and mountain lions, and maybe someone’s cat who will not make it home tonight.
At night, the darkness stares back at me, searching for me. Something wriggles out there in the night, trying to take shape. Two eyes try to look back at me, two eyes try to find me.
And there’s nothing there, and we both know that, the foothills and I. As I brush my teeth and I feel toothpaste dripping down my chin, I end our staring contest, returning to the bathroom.
At night, bright light dots my vision, far enough away to not quite see what lurks behind it. Behind stucco and adobe walls, they are hiding away in cozy homes.
There’s someone out there, someone looking for something in this abyss. They know what few know. A small cat skitters across my feet, somewhere out here. It, too, will learn.
At night, I stare up at houses far away. I stare up at a window, licking my lips. Out there, just beyond all of my dirt and rocks, I see two eyes looking down at me. Two eyes trying to find me.